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more on USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open"
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 12:44:55 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: "Patrick W. Gilmore" <patrick () ianai net> Date: May 20, 2005 11:47:05 AM EDT To: dave () farber net Cc: "Patrick W. Gilmore" <patrick () ianai net> Subject: Re: [IP] USG WiFi Nets "Wide Open" On May 20, 2005, at 11:15 AM, David Farber wrote:
Apparently nine of the 24 major agencies haven't got anywireless-security plans, while many others haven’t got proper guidelinesin place.The report says that 13 agencies don't require their Wi-Fi networks tobe set up in a secure manner, and most don't monitor their wireless activity.
Of course the agencies should have good security - as well as corporations, hospitals, and anywhere else that has wireless access to sensitive data.
But I am now worried the report will cause a TSA-like knee-jerk reaction to "do something", which not only will do nothing, but will harm productivity. Many government agencies are so unproductive now, taking away tools which help them do their jobs scares me.
Especially since it is _TRIVIAL_ to set up wireless networks securely - just put them outside the firewall. Instead, these agencies are probably going to their vendors screaming for something to secure the networks and getting MAC filtering or separate VLANs for unauthenticated users or "portal access" or the like. All of which are far more expensive then the simple solution, and far less secure.
Your tax dollars at work. :) Let's hope I'm wrong. -- TTFN, patrick ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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