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18th December 2003 - Wireless carriers are expanding
their data services, and more consumer and business
devices are supporting wireless connectivity.
There are a number of security risks associated
with wireless data, which has driven the creation
of a new wireless security market. Most easily
addressable within the wireless security market
is wireless device security. In-Stat/MDR expects
that wireless device security will be a top area
of concern for consumers, wireless carriers, and
network administrators, as all groups have a stake
in the stability and security of the devices.
The main challenge in securing wireless devices,
according to the high-tech market research firm,
is determining whose job it is to secure these
devices.
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Smartphones, normally sold through service providers,
are usually considered consumer devices, however, like
with the consumer PC market, the average consumer user
lacks understanding of how and why to secure their device.
Many consumers may demand data security from the service
providers and device manufacturers. Meanwhile, corporate
IT administrators are torn between the benefits of offering
added mobility via wireless devices and the security
risks associated with wireless deployment and management.
Additionally, wireless networks are complicating the
security equation, as devices that once were predominantly
corporate in nature, are now also accessing wireless
data networks via hotspots and public areas. These wireless
users may be providing malicious users with a backdoor
into corporate networks. Additionally, companies that
have deployed wireless networks require additional security
layers, as existing security measures built into the
wireless standards are weak. Wireless LAN security gateways
and wireless Intrusion Detection Systems have been developed
to provide encryption for corporate wireless data and
to identify potential hackers to the wireless network.
In-Stat/MDR has also found that:
- Within wireless security, there are three addressable
markets: Wireless Infrastructure Security, Wireless
Device Security and Wireless LAN security. Together
these segments are poised to reach $8.4 Billion by
2008.
- Wireless devices create security vulnerabilities
as carriers of malicious data into corporate networks,
in addition to being attacked unto themselves.
- Laptops, phones, and PDAs are the most common devices
accessing wireless networks, and by far, they are
the most at risk within the forecast period. However,
the number of devices that can be wirelessly enabled
is limitless, and as such, the market for wireless
security is expected to evolve beyond these communication
devices.
This Market Alert is drawn from the In-Stat/MDR report,
"Wireless
Security", which analyzes the worldwide market
for wireless security products, ranging from wireless
security at the infrastructure, wireless device security,
and enterprise wireless LAN security. This report includes
five-year forecasts for wireless infrastructure security
equipment, anti-virus, firewall, and VPN for wireless
devices, and Wireless LAN security gateways and Intrusion
Detection Systems.
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