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Identity-based WLAN security

Identity-based security provides complete trace of guest user activity.

Cyberoam, a division of Elitecore Technologies, has announced the launch of its wireless network security appliance, the CR15wi, which comes with an in-built wireless access point featuring 802.11 n/b/g standards, MIMO technology and up to eight virtual access points. The appliance delivers the entire range of UTM security features over WLAN for protecting home offices, remote offices as well as public Internet access outlets.

Currently, corporate WiFi environments are at risk from information theft and cyber-terrorism attacks due to their inability to trace end users, especially the guest users. CR15wi overcomes this by a Layer 8 technology, treating user-identity as the 8th Layer or the human layer in the protocol stack. This allows administrators to apply identity-based security policies to gain visibility over user activity in the network.

For secure authentication, CR15wi supports multiple virtual access points that create independent, segregated networks in the same physical area of the organisation (sales, marketing, guest users etc). This prevents rogue clients from connecting to networks where they do not belong.

Says Abhilash Sonwane, VP of product management, Cyberoam, “Organisations are usually comfortable securing their wired networks, however, they can be oblivious to the threats posed by wireless networks. For instance, when providing Internet access to guest users, a common pre-shared key is used for authentication, a technique which lacks identity-based controls. On the other hand, Cyberoam’s Layer 8 technology gives complete trace of guest user activity.”

As a key business benefit, CR15wi also helps reduce the costs in managing WLAN environments. Adds Sonwane, “Currently, managing an organisation’s WiFi security infrastructure involves both WiFi routers and firewalls. CR15wi has been designed to replace them.”

The usage of MIMO technology improves throughput and range values, thus, enabling faster handling of video streaming and high bandwidth downloads.

For more information contact Cyberoam, +91 79 6606 5606, [email protected], www.cyberoam.com

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