AirDefense Launches Bluetooth Monitoring
Solution
Market Leader Advances State of Wireless Security
Atlanta - May 10, 2004 - AirDefense, the leader in 24x7
wireless LAN security monitoring, today announced AirDefense
BlueWatch, the industry-first commercial-grade Bluetooth
monitoring solution. AirDefense BlueWatch enables organizations
to identify rogue and insecure Bluetooth devices in their air
space.
More than 250 million Bluetooth devices are in operation worldwide
and are expected to grow to more than one billion in the next
two years, according to InStat/MicroDesign Resources. Though Bluetooth
devices have security features built in, most devices ship with
unsecured default configurations creating gaping security holes.
"Like wireless LAN devices, Bluetooth devices are being
rapidly deployed with little or no security," said Pete Lindstrom,
research director for Spire Security. "However because of
the pervasiveness of these unsecured devices left in default settings,
they stand to be an attractive target for exploitation. Monitoring
tools like AirDefense BlueWatch
can play a critical role in providing visibility of unsanctioned
or insecure Bluetooth devices and the security vulnerabilities
they introduce."
Survey results from AirDefense customers support that companies
spend millions of dollars securing their networks. When a company's
network is left exposed by insecure devices such as Bluetooth
devices, hackers can enter the organization and compromise the
company's corporate backbone, rendering investments in information
technology security obsolete. The implications from a security
breach can impact the company's reputation, intellectual property
and regulated information.
"Many of our new company-issued devices are Bluetooth enabled,"
said Michael Ciarochi, senior security engineer for HomeBanc Mortgage
Corporation. "Although this is a convenience for many of
our associates, there is a risk that sensitive data may be compromised.
AirDefense BlueWatch provides a monitoring solution that we can
use to identify and track how and with whom these devices communicate."
AirDefense BlueWatch runs on a standard Windows XP
or Windows 2000 platform and monitors the airwaves to:
"Having pioneered the wireless LAN monitoring segment, AirDefense
is proud to extend our leadership in securing the wireless network
by addressing Bluetooth. AirDefense BlueWatch, the industry's
first Bluetooth monitoring tool, will identify rogue and insecure
Bluetooth devices and enable organizations to take proactive steps
to mitigate the risk of security breaches," said Jay Chaudhry
executive chairman and founder of AirDefense.
AirDefense BlueWatch is part of the suite of AirDefense products
that collectively enhance the security and reliability of wireless
networks.
About AirDefense, Inc.
AirDefense is the thought leader and innovator of wireless LAN
security and operational support solutions. Founded in 2001, AirDefense
pioneered the concept of 24x7 monitoring of the airwaves and now
provides the most advanced solutions for rogue WLAN detection,
policy enforcement, intrusion protection and monitoring the health
of wireless LANs. As a key element of wireless LAN security, AirDefense
complements wireless VPNs, encryption and authentication. Based
on a secure appliance and remote sensors, AirDefense solutions
scale to support single offices, corporate campuses or hundreds
of locations. Blue chip companies and government agencies rely
upon AirDefense solutions to secure and manage wireless LANs around
the globe. For more information, go to www.airdefense.net or call
770.663.8115.
Media Contacts:
Heidi Litner
AirDefense, Inc.
770.663.8115 x 110
hlitner@airdefense.net
AirDefense is a registered trademark of AirDefense, Inc. All
other trademarks are property of their respective owners.