Slashdot Mirror


U.S. Government Certified Wireless Security Products?

superid asks: "Our facility is just beginning to install small wireless 802.11b networks to support our office developers and staff. I think most people end up happy with wireless and enjoy the freedom. Our little branch office has about 100 people and our whole facility has close to 3000 people, so it's reasonable to expect our wireless needs to grow. However, I have just received an email, sent to all network administrators of our facility, directing us to shut down all wireless devices until they are certified by our Information Security department. Of course I'm not surprised by this. I'm aware of the problems with WEP and tools like airsnort. I know there are numerous security products and projects, but can any of them trace a lineage back to FIPS? Wouldn't it be a major victory to see an OSS product listed as validated by NIST?"

"Here are the certification requirements:

Encryption must be implemented end-to-end over an assured channel and shall meet the FIPS 140-1 or 140-2, Overall Level 2 (Triple-DES or AES) standard, at a minimum.
I know there are uncertified software solutions, but for ease of integration, our office has chosen AirFortress for a hardware solution. This will run us about $2,500 for our small office and is quite reasonable. However, it would be nice if there was an Open Source solution as well. The difference is that any OSS solution must be 'certified'."

2 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why government certified? by gmhowell · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Being opposed to the war on drugs is a traditional conservative view point. What another man does that doesn't bother me is his own business. Traditionally, abortion rights supporters were conservatives.

    But, since '72 or '80, depending on how you look at things, it's all been flopped around and mixed up.

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  2. Not even funny by maddogsparky · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    Some trolls are funny.

    Some are mean. This one pokes at a wound that hasn't healed yet.

    Show some humanity.

    --
    science is a religion