Protecting against data interception and theft has long been a concern of corporate/wireless LAN customers.

Successfully using Internet technologies requires an increased need to protect valuable data and network resources from corruption and intrusion. Willaf's security solution is comprised of five key elements:

Identity

Identity is the accurate and positive identification of network users, hosts, applications, services, and resources. Standard technologies that enable identification include authentication protocols such as RADIUS and TACACS+, Kerberos, and one-time password tools. New technologies such as digital certificates, smart cards, and directory services are beginning to play increasingly important roles in identity solutions.

Perimeter Security

This element provides the means to control access to critical network applications, data, and services so that only legitimate users and information can pass through the network. Routers and switches with access control lists and/or stateful firewalling, as well as dedicated firewall appliances provide this control. Complementary tools, including virus scanners and content filters, also help control network perimeters.

Data Privacy

When information must be protected from eavesdropping, the ability to provide authenticated, confidential communication on demand is crucial. Sometimes, data separation using tunneling technologies, such as generic routing encapsulation (GRE) or Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), provides effective data privacy. Often, however, additional privacy requirements call for the use of digital encryption technology and protocols such as IPSec. This added protection is especially important when implementing VPN's.

Security Monitoring

To ensure that a network remains secure, it's important to regularly test and monitor the state of security preparation. Network vulnerability scanners can proactively identify areas of weakness, and intrusion detection systems can monitor and respond to security events as they occur. Using security monitoring solutions, organizations can obtain unprecedented visibility into both the network data stream and the security posture of the network.

Policy Management

As networks grow in size and complexity, the requirement for centralized policy management tools grows as well. Sophisticated tools that can analyze, interpret, configure, and monitor the state of security policy, with browser-based user interfaces, enhance the usability and effectiveness of network security solutions.

These elements enable dynamic links between customer security policy, user or host identity, and network infrastructures.