The IEEE has finally done what it should have done long ago: It ratified a workable security standard for 802.11 wireless LANs. Known as 802.11i, it's a significant event for the wireless industry and provides momentum for what many expect to be a major ramp up of WLAN implementation in the enterprise. Like most new standards, it will take some time to mature, but the Wi-Fi Alliance's decision to jump the gun last year by rolling out WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) will help ease the implementation burden somewhat.

As most observers of the WLAN industry are aware, the security features found in the original standard were woefully inadequate. To a certain degree, these deficiencies reflected the perception that security services are normally implemented at layer 3 and above.

By Dave Molta at Mobile Pipeline.

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