Information Warfare: October 25, 2002

Archives

The U.S. Army initially welcomed wireless networks, until they discovered how easy it was for someone with off the shelf equipment to eavesdrop on what was being passed back and forth on those networks. Even though the popular 802.11b ("wi-fi") networks had security features built in (encryption and user authorization codes), it soon became obvious that hackers had no problem defeating the built in 802.11b security. But the army really needed wi-fi, as troops often operated in the field. Even army bases benefited a lot from wireless networks, because many of the buildings on these bases are ancient and installing wired networks is expensive to do, and maintain. So the army looked for commercially available software that would provide better security, and they found it. Tests are being conducted at Texas bases with the more secure wireless networks. Wired networks will always be more secure, but the army managed to move from field telephones (with wire all over the place) to secure radio communications. So the attitude is that what worked for radio will work for computer networks. 

 


Article Archive

Information Warfare: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close