Meru Launches Signal-Level WLAN Security

Meru Networks has announced a WLAN security solution that provides protection at the RF signal level. The Meru Security Services Module – available via Avaya Inc. dealers, distributor Voda One Inc. and the Meru VAR channel – uses micro-scanning, radio scrambling and transmission jamming techniques to secure communications.

The software piece is meant to bridge a security gap, according to the company. With packet encryption solutions, networks still can be vulnerable to passive eavesdropping. Enterprises requiring the highest levels of security and confidentiality, including government agencies and financial institutions, thus often limit or completely forbid Wi-Fi use.

“With growing internal and external security threats such as those posed by rogue access points, and compromised authentication and encryption schemes, a wireless security solution that extends to the signal level is crucial for preventing unauthorized access and security breaches,” said Justin Morehouse, director of wireless assessments at True North Solutions Inc., an information security solutions provider.

The module’s functionality includes:

* Continuous microscanning with no disruption to network service. Meru's AirShield technology allows an access point to inspect packets and scan channels for security violations while transmissions destined for other access points continue uninterrupted. If a packet is incoming to the scanning access point, that access point processes the packet in a few microseconds, then continues to scan. This lets every access point on the network act simultaneously as a monitor and Wi-Fi access point – especially critical for running wireless VoIP.

* Radio jamming to eliminate rogue transmissions before they add any traffic to the network. Once the Security Services Module scans and detects a rogue, it jams the rogue so its transmissions appear as white noise on the network and all authorized clients and APs ignore the transmission. Unlike traditional rogue access solutions, radio jamming prevents rogue packets from ever being seen on the network, reducing network traffic overhead and ensuring that rogues have no chance to commit spoofing-type attacks.

* Transmission scrambling to prevent attacks before they happen. Traditional WLAN security solutions take packets and randomize the bits, giving only the sender and receiver the key to recovering the information. Meru's Security Services Module adds an RF-level scrambling in which only the sender and receiver are able to see the transmission, and all other clients see only white noise. Meru's antenna technology requires no additional software on the client.

“With the rise of wireless VoIP in the enterprise and the increasing use of wireless networks for mission-critical applications, we recognized that today's enterprises require a higher level of wireless security than what is currently available,” said Joel Vincent, director of marketing for Meru. “Meru's Security Services Module delivers the kind of rigorous security necessary to protect enterprises from a wide range of threats and attacks before they can do damage to the network."

The module, available at the beginning of the second quarter, functions as part of Meru's System Director operating system and is installed on the Meru WLAN System's Controller. It can be used with Meru access points or Meru radio switches. Pricing begins at $2,500 for 50 access points.

Meru Networks   www.merunetworks.com
True North Solutions Inc.   www.truenorthsolutions.net

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines