Wireless leaders hook up to address security

BT, Cisco and Intel announced a formal alliance at InfoSec Europe to promote better security for users of wireless networks.

The trio are concerned that fears about security will harm the rollout of wide-scale wireless networks, and have produced advice sheets for businesses, homes and public Wi-Fi access points.

"Wireless moves security beyond physical boundaries so organisations need to protect their complete working environment, especially as they collaborate more," said David Lacey, director of information security at Royal Mail, and working group leader of the Jericho Forum.

"Security should be simple to set up and manage, and IT departments need to educate stakeholders across their organisation from the board through to users and increasingly customers.

"Education is where organisations can make the biggest impact on effective security."

BT, Cisco and Intel also agreed to standardise on the Wireless Encryption Protocol, and to implement stronger encryption and identity systems as soon as they are finalised.

Cisco will be abandoning its Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocols wireless security standard.