NSA Approves First 802.11b Product for Secret Data

joehoya writes "I realize this is a couple of days old, but the National Security Agency recently certified the Harris Corp's Secnet-11 as the first 802.11b system permitted to carry US SECRET level data. See press release. The system integrates NSA crypto with commercial chipset based 802.11b PCMCIA cards and access points to create a secure wireless LAN. Unfortunately, you and I won't be able to buy them, as they are only available to organizations with an NSA COMSEC account."

Comments

Whaddaya mean?

[JanusFury]

I for one have had an NSA COMSEC account for 7 years. You can't make a living in the Evil Mad Scientist business without one of those (and a superfortress impervious to every form of attack except the infamous potato-in-exhaust-vent maneuver, but that's another story.) I've got three of these things already, and they're great! Just what I needed for top-secret communications with my evil minions.

Re:How is this unfortunate?

[Noren]

You have also proven that you don't know what you're talking about.

This sentence is false.

Interesting

[drhairston]

Given the common practice of 'WarDriving' that most young people seem to be 'in to' these days, it is probable - nay, inevitable, that these wireless points will be detected by someone and posted at a site such as cryptome. The interesting question, of course, is whether the publishing of data about the presence and location of these acccess points will be considered illegal, and whether the 'War Drivers' will be arrested for detecting the signal.

One would hope so, but you never know.

Lowest level of security

[charnov]

Just an FYI, but "SECRET" is the lowest level of COMSEC and is even below "CLASSIFIED" and far, far below "COMPARTMENTALIZED".