Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    The Push Is On For Wireless Security

    By
    Anne Chen
    -
    January 15, 2001
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Although wireless protocols such as wap may not be as secure as most IT managers would like, vendors are rapidly closing holes. But how do you know when a wireless platform is finally safe for mission-critical applications?

      One way is to get actively involved with the growing number of industry groups, standards committees and vendor alliances vying to set standards for securing wireless transactions. These groups include the WAP Forum, Radicchio, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and the PKI Forum.

      “We support many wireless devices, and we want to make sure our voice is heard on issues that will affect our wireless implementation,” said Chuck Davis, chief technology and chief privacy officer at BarPoint.com Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Because these organizations are developing legislation and standards, we thought it was important for us to participate.”

      BarPoint.com is actively involved in the WAP Forum. While the forum does not concentrate solely on wireless services security, it sets the framework for how security features such as PKI (public-key infrastructure) are implemented into WAP (Wireless Application Protocol).

      Davis said his involvement in the WAP Forum allows him to promote the wireless issues hes concerned about.

      For example, hes interested in the organizations work to close the security hole created when the WAP gateway translates data from the Wireless Transport Layer Security protocol into a secure IP such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

      The WAP Forum has more than 200 members, mostly vendors, including such wireless leaders as Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Nokia Corp. and Qualcomm Inc.

      As wireless heats up, Davis said, BarPoint.com will join other forums, including the PKI Forum. That organization hopes to accelerate the adoption and use of PKI and PKI-based services for both wired and wireless devices. The PKI Forum is composed of almost 100 companies, most of them software developers.

      For IT managers focused on wireless security, there are lobbying organizations such as Radicchio, which works to persuade international organizations and government bodies to take into account mobile security when drafting legislation. Radicchio has some 50 members, including wireless operators, certification authorities, systems integrators, handset manufacturers and software companies.

      Enterprises interested in Bluetooth may choose to follow the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Comprising telecommunications, computing and networking companies such as IBM, Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and 3Com Corp., the group is working on security issues attached to the de facto standard.

      Even if IT managers dont actively participate in these organizations, theyll do well to follow them closely “Eventually, a standard will be set,” Davis said. “With so many people using our wireless service, we want to be prepared.”

      IT managers can learn more about the groups at the following Web sites: www.bluetooth.com, www.radicchio.org, www.wapforum.org and www.pkiforum.org.

      Anne Chen
      As a senior writer for eWEEK Labs, Anne writes articles pertaining to IT professionals and the best practices for technology implementation. Anne covers the deployment issues and the business drivers related to technologies including databases, wireless, security and network operating systems. Anne joined eWeek in 1999 as a writer for eWeek's eBiz Strategies section before moving over to Labs in 2001. Prior to eWeek, she covered business and technology at the San Jose Mercury News and at the Contra Costa Times.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×