Bluefire announced new version of mobile security software for Wi-Fi networks


Bluefire Security Technologies and Fortress Technologies today announced new products to address growing threats facing companies with Wi-Fi networks. Evolving security capabilities for mobile devices are outlined.


May 04, 2004 /Wi-Fi Technology News/-Bluefire Security Technologies announced the availability of a major new version of its mobile security software, Bluefire Mobile Firewall Plus 3.0, the only complete handheld security solution available combining multiple security features with strong management capabilities.

Faced with the growing security threat created by mobile devices with Bluetooth and Infrared connectivity, security administrators can use the upgraded version of Bluefire Security?s flagship product to disable these communication capabilities before an enterprise deployment of personal digital assistants (PDAs) or converged devices.

To assist companies and government agencies with managing the threat from hackers willing to expose weaknesses in the handheld computing platform, Bluefire Security will now make available a handheld vulnerability alert service from its Cambridge, Mass.-based Handheld Security Research Lab. Organizations can subscribe to an e-mail alert service or use Bluefire Security?s Web site to receive existing and future vulnerability information, a first line of defense against would-be criminals.

Version 3.0 builds on this development strategy with the following key new features:

Wireless WAN Firewall - firewall protection for mobile devices operating in both wireless WAN and LAN environments.

FIPS 140-2 Validated Cryptographic Module - AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)-based encryption combined with a FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) 140-2 validated cryptographic module, the benchmark for security within government departments and agencies.
Folder Encryption - encryption of data files, storage cards and personal information, including mailbox, contact, calendar and task databases.
Password Override ? device user permission to access the device if the user has forgotten the password.

Microphone and Speaker Disablement ? disablement of microphones and speakers on mobile devices.
Accelerated Deployment/One-Click Installation - deployment capabilities that require minimal administration, speeding installation - a significant timesaver for organizations with large mobile device populations.
Bluefire Mobile Firewall Plus is the only complete mobile security solution on the market, providing firewall, intrusion detection, integrity management, encryption, device authentication and policy-based enterprise security management features. Bluefire?s software runs on most Windows Mobile-based mobile devices.

Fortress Technologies:
To accelerate corporate adoption of WLAN without compromise, Fortress Technologies announced enhancements to the AirFortress product to enable any company, regardless of size, complexity, or stage of adoption, to easily secure wireless networks and devices. Enhancements include new no-compromise roaming capabilities and VLAN policy support for the deployment, change and growth of wireless LAN services throughout an enterprise network.

Mobility Enhancements Deliver No Compromise Roaming Capabilities
With optimized roaming capabilities, the AirFortress product now extends beyond basic sub-net roaming to encompass enterprise-wide mobility while maintaining strength of security for all wireless network traffic. Strong, yet flexible, access control policies allow AirFortress network mobility features to be configured to restrict certain areas of the wireless network from unintentional or inappropriate use by users who are outside their authorized work areas.

VLAN Policy Support Simplifies Management
Most piecemeal wireless solutions force network administrators to unnaturally "slice and dice" their networks in order to protect their wired networks from wireless. With the latest AirFortress, the process of WLAN integration is greatly simplified with expanded features for integrating wireless with the wired network in a more cohesive and manageable architecture. This includes the ability to integrate into the managed corporate network environment using VLAN tags assigned by either access points or network switches.

New improvements to the AirFortress gateway are designed to increase management, service and availability options required by enterprise customers. These include:

Support for both transparency and translation of VLAN tags.
Enhanced information available for systems management.
New user and device administration tracking and policy options.
Easy reconfiguration, deployment, upgrade and replication tools.
Additional support for CAC cards and other third party authentication (i.e. ActivCard).
Broader integration of network standards by adding 802.1x authentication support.

Dominic Y. Ybarra
FitzGerald Communications
1909 K Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20006
202-973-4781
dybarra@fitzgerald.com