AirDefense's Revolutionary New Technology Ensures PCI Compliance by Protecting Devices Using Legacy Encryption

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AirDefense, Inc., the innovator that launched the wireless LAN security market, today introduced its patented WEP Cloaking™ module, the first and only technology for global retailers and other companies using the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security standard to protect wireless networks. By using AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module, retailers can preserve their current investment in legacy handheld devices and avoid the potential cost of tens of millions of dollars for hardware upgrades and training.

“The Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standard requires that WEP encrypted networks either be upgraded or supplemented with additional security. AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module offers a new, cost-effective avenue for compliance.”

A recent report by industry analyst firm Gartner titled Answers to Common Questions About PCI Compliance lists ”unprotected wireless connections” as a problem area for retailers. AirDefense’s patented WEP Cloaking module leverages the award-winning AirDefense Enterprise platform using wireless sensors to protect handheld devices in use at thousands of retailers world-wide from passive and active attempts to crack WEP encryption keys. These handheld devices commonly include wireless point of sale systems, barcode scanners and VoIP handsets and are in use at retail distribution centers as well as in a variety of retail establishments to include department stores, electronic stores, supermarkets and clothing stores. These devices commonly support only WEP encryption and without AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module, can be easily broken with popular cracking tools.

“Although IEEE wireless security standard, 802.11i, was ratified in 2004, migration to 802.11i end to end hasn't been easy, as many legacy devices only support WEP. During the migration, WEP encrypted systems are vulnerable,” said Rachna Ahlawat, research director at Gartner. “Using a layered approach to wireless security that incorporates strong authentication and encryption in the infrastructure with wireless intrusion protection to overcome the weaker security of handsets can extend the shelf life of wireless technologies while improving security.”

“The introduction of WEP Cloaking is a significant new milestone in the evolution of wireless security,” said Mike Potts, president and CEO of AirDefense. “Our technology enables companies to preserve their existing, and often considerable, investment in wireless devices even after their security life-span has seemingly expired. Put simply, this is security technology that can save retailers millions of dollars in upgrades and training.”

Wireless security is a key element of the PCI data security standard. In the August 2006 Visa guidance newsletter titled Use of Wireless Security Requires Adequate Data Security Controls, the company states, “Merchants that have implemented or are considering using wireless technology must develop and deploy a comprehensive strategy to secure their systems from intrusion.” PCI auditors have already begun in-depth evaluations nationwide of wireless security as a part of their certification process.

“Wireless intrusions disrupt commerce and are a growing threat to the security of consumer information handled by retail organizations,” said Bob McCullen, CEO of AmbironTrustWave, the world-wide leader in PCI DSS solutions. “The Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standard requires that WEP encrypted networks either be upgraded or supplemented with additional security. AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module offers a new, cost-effective avenue for compliance.”

AirDefense Enterprise is the industry’s most comprehensive WLAN protection platform and today is used by nearly 700 enterprises, many of whom need to verify compliance of wireless security by providing compliance reports, forensic records of wireless activity and real-time notification of wireless intrusions. The addition of WEP Cloaking provides an entirely new dimension of protection that can act as the security supplement for WEP encryption.

AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module is available this month and can be seamlessly added to existing AirDefense Enterprise systems or deployed as part of a newly purchased AirDefense Enterprise system. For more information about AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module, please visit: http://www.airdefense.net/products/features/wep.php.

About AirDefense

AirDefense is the market leader in anywhere, anytime wireless security. The company is trusted by more Fortune 500 companies, healthcare organizations and high-security government agencies for enterprise wireless protection than any other company. AirDefense products provide the most advanced solutions for rogue wireless detection, policy enforcement and intrusion prevention, both inside and outside an organization's physical locations and wired networks. Common Criteria-certified, AirDefense enterprise-class products scale to support single offices as well as organizations with hundreds of locations around the globe. Founded in 2001, AirDefense is based in Atlanta, GA and serves nearly 700 government agencies and blue chip corporations. For more information, please visit http://www.airdefense.net or call 770.663.8115.