Meru tackles communications security
Most wireless security schemes protect communication at the network level through such things as WiFi Protected Access (WPA) and packet encryption, but these still have enough holes that many government enterprises that need the highest levels of security prefer to ban wireless networks altogether.
Meru Networks, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., believes it's gotten around those problems with a solution that protects communications at the RF signal level itself.
Using micro-scanning, which allows Meru's wireless access points to inspect packets and channels for security violations, radio jamming and transmission scrambling the company says its approach filters out rogue packets and transmissions and stops potential attacks before they can affect wireless communications.
The three features are layered on top of any standard WiFi protection that may be employed.
Unlike other wireless security solutions, according to company officials, Meru's solution conducts its scanning without disrupting any network services, which they say is critical for enterprises that use wireless voice and data for mission-critical applications and that can't tolerate the kind of interruptions that occur with regular security solutions.
Meru's Security Services Module, a software product, functions as a part of the company's System Director operating system and is installed on the Meru Wireless LAN System's controller.
It will be available at the beginning of the second quarter (EDITOR: calendar 2006) with prices beginning at $2,500.
About the Author
Brian Robinson is a special contributor to Defense Systems.