Wireless Security

Trustchip encrypts GSM calls with 256-bit AES

Paul Mah — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:22:28 -0400

A new security product designed to block eavesdropping at the Telco-level will be out before the end of the year. Called the Trustchip, it comes with its own built-in encryption engine and 32-bit RISC processor, all packed into a MicroSD-sized package. The Trustchip apparently will work with both Symbian and Windows Mobile phones, and its ease of use has been hailed as its selling point. To encrypt your calls with 256-bit AES, only one Trustchip needs to be plugged into the phones of the parties wishing to communicate. The benefit is that this is much more convenient compared to conventional secure mobile phones that require specialist hardware.

For more about the Trustchip:
- check out the The Inquirer article

Mobile device security an issue nobody wants to address

Paul Mah — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:32:50 -0400

A new report shows that IT managers are reluctant to take responsibility for managing mobile devices that are increasingly being used with enterprise applications. Against a backdrop of more employees bringing and using their own mobile devices in the office, analysts from Datamonitor are recommending that enterprise applications consider supporting a limited selection of devices rather than attempting to enforce an outright ban. This is especially pertinent when one considers that few employers want the hassle of one device for personal use, with a company-issued device for work. As it is, IT managers need to begin implementing mobile device policies to ensure that devices are properly secured against data breaches when they are lost or stolen.

For more on mobile device security
- check out this Computerworld article

Indian BlackBerry ban lifted

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

Last week, we ran a bizarre story about the Indian government rejecting Tata Teleservices' application to offer BlackBerry devices in India, on the grounds that the inability to intercept BlackBerry data makes the device a security threat. The story was even more odd when one considered that other carriers already offer BlackBerry devices in India. At the time, Tata filed for a clarification as to why their service was singled out. This week, they received an answer: The Indian government has rescinded the ban on Tata's BlackBerry service and will work with mobile carriers to ensure that any security issues are resolved. "We are keen to resolve the issue at the earliest but there is no question of banning the Blackberry services," Indian Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura said.

For more on the security saga:
- see this article from Rediff India Abroad

Does 'My Location' threaten privacy?

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:56 -0500

Lately, it's been hard to find a wireless arena in which Google isn't making news. Here's one, though, that might not have made it to your business radar: Google's "My Location" feature within Google Maps for phones is being viewed as a possible privacy risk. The system, which provides an approximate user location based on cell-tower triangulation rather than GPS, is described by Google as completely anonymous, but privacy advocates, pointing to recent stories of federal agents requesting cell phone user data, say you can't be too careful. It makes Google's plan for WiMAX seem very simple by comparison.

For more on the possible "My Location" risk:
- Read the security analysis at CIO-Today

Handling tricky net deployments

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Sometimes, you know, it's just hard to make a wireless network happen in a particular location. Interference from nearby networks, structural barriers to radio energy, high-risk security concerns--all of these can make for a very difficult installation. You can try improving your WLAN deployment practices, but there are times when new technology is the answer. It's critical to pick the right WLAN partner, and for a growing number of customers the right partner is Ruckus. Ruckus' beam-forming technology can make secure, high-performance deployment possible in environments that border on the impossible.

For more on a Ruckus wireless deployment:
- Read the case study at NetworkWorld

Always-on security

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Laptop computers and 3G networks have joined forces to bring anywhere Internet connectivity to the enterprise world. Unfortunately, while the combination has created significant productivity enhancements for mobile professionals, it has brought significant security concerns, as well. Now, Alcatel-Lucent is delivering a product suite, OmniAccess 3500 Laptop Guardian, that has been brought to market by Sprint-Nextel, with the goal of using the same 3G network to provide always-on security and fleet management for corporate laptops. A PC Card with a self-contained computer and constant network access protects the computer and can receive patches and downloads, even when the laptop computer is turned off. When the technology can provide a bit of safety along with productivity, the market is making steps in the right direction.

For more on the new Alcatel-Lucent 24/7 security:
- Read the product news at WirelessWeek

Cautious Android approval

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

In the first week of Google's Android mobile operating system, the majority of the response has been positive and optimistic, though a few have voiced concerns over potential security issues with the open-source system. The optimism comes from the open-source basis of the software and the alliance of companies that have already committed to supporting the system. The caution comes as part of that same open-source basis: the idea that any application can hook into the operating system creates significant security concerns in the minds of some security experts. Now the market can decide whether the optimism or caution wins out--or whether the two will be balanced in a very successful system.

For more on the initial response to Android:
- Read the software analysis at CIO-Today

Symantec's mobile security suite not up to snuff

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Symantec is a trusted name in enterprise security and its products keep many an IT department under lock and key. So you can't really argue with the assumption that the company's latest mobile security product--Mobile Security Suite 5.0--offers a similarly comprehensive solution for the mobile side of the enterprise. But you would be wrong. According to an eWeek review of the product, Symantec still has some work left to do, in terms of producing an enterprise-class mobile security solution. The most glaring mistake, according to eWeek, was the decision to market separate solutions for Windows Mobile and Symbian--as opposed to one comprehensive solution. "Symantec's Mobile Security Suite 5.0 provides a good mix of security features for devices based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 5.0, but the product ultimately misses the mark due to clumsy management tools and a complete lack of integrated cross-platform support that would certainly be compelling in an increasingly crowded but compartmentalized marketplace."

For more on Mobile Security Suite 5.0:
- read the eWeek review

QUICKLINKS: Gphone with a twist; Bluetooth goes WiFi;

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:55 -0500

> Gphone with a twist. Article

> Tech in Congress. Article

> Mobile security circles Microsoft. Article

> Bluetooth goes WiFi. Article

Mobile social networks take off

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:57 -0400

Companies are rushing to embrace social networking sites and technologies ranging from Facebook to Second Life. For firms that are rapidly deploying wireless applications and platforms, there is a new dilemma regarding whether an existing social networking platform should follow users into the mobile world, or if a new, designed-for-mobile social networking framework should be used. Companies like MocoSpace, Bluepulse, and SayNow are building communities around voice communications and mobile-friendly text nuggets. Organizations moving more of their work to the social networks should check out the newcomers--and should work to ensure that management and security issues are addressed from every angle.

For more on the new mobile social networks:
- read the whole story at WirelessWeek