Computer Security is vitally important to the success of any 21st century firm. However the integrity of computer security has been greatly compromised in recent years and hackers have found creative ways to invade computer systems. The purpose of this paper is to assess how vendor's solutions enable organizations to better meet their overall business goals and strategies. We will also discuss the security of several vendors, which include www.requisite.com, www.ariba.com, and www.trade-ranger.com.Let's begin by discussing the computer security threats that vendors face.
Computer Security Threats
With the advent of the Internet, vendors have encountered monumental problems with the security of their networks. According to a whitepaper published by AirDefense, the most severe threats to computer security involve wireless LAN's. The whitepaper explains that wireless LAN's create a security challenge because,
Without proper security measures for authentication and encryption any laptop with a wireless card can connect with the network or stealthily eavesdrop on all network traffic across various access points." (Wireless LAN Security)
When hackers gain access to these points they can create internal and external problems for vendors. Internal problems include Rogue WLAN's, accidental associations, and insecure network configurations. Rogue WLAN's create a problem for vendors because they allow staff to conceal their access points to wire-side sniffers by setting the access point to reflect the same MAC address of the laptop. In addition, Rogue WLAN's can also be used internally to disturb ad hoc networks. Ad hoc networks can allow unauthorized users access to the system that can then use this access to enter the entire system of the vendor. (Wireless LAN Security)
Another internal problem associated with Wireless LAN's is accidental association. Accidental associations occur when "a neighboring company across the street or on adjacent floors of the building operates a wireless Lan that emanates a strong RF signal that bleeds over into your building space." (Wireless LAN Security) This allows the LAN friendly operating system to associate with the systems of your wireless users. This association can expose passwords and sensitive information. In addition, accidental associations can cause two systems to become a single system. (Wireless LAN Security)
The final internal problem that wireless LAN's can produce is insecure network configurations. These insecure configurations involve companies that use Virtual Private Networks. VPN's often have default settings which contain open broadcasts of SSID's, poor encryption, passwords and poor authentication.. (Wireless LAN Security) These access points can easily be reconfigured to serve the purposes of a hacker.
Wireless LAN Security)
External problems created by wireless LAN's include Identity theft, espionage and eavesdropping, and evolving attacks. Of these three, identity theft has become one of the most prevalent external problems. Identity theft often involves getting personal identification numbers of SSIDs and MACs which give the hacker access to the entire system. The hacker can then steal sensitive information about users or clients including credit card number and bank account information.
Another external problem involves espionage and eavesdropping. Through poorly secured wireless LAN's which are broadcast over radio waves hackers can find unencrypted messages. They can use these messages to expose vendors to corporate espionage. (Wireless LAN Security)
The final external threat comes from evolving attacks. Evolving attacks involve man in the middle and denial of service attacks. (Wireless LAN Security) These attacks are usually performed by more sophisticated hackers and can shut down networks and reek havoc upon VPN's. (Wireless LAN Security)
How Vendor's solutions to these problems enable organizations to better meet their overall business goals and strategies
According to AirDefense there are several solutions that can be used to combat the problems associated with wireless LAN's. Among these solutions are Remote Sensors and server appliances, and Differentiating technologies. (Wireless LAN Security) The whitepaper also asserts that these solutions combat rogue wireless LAN's and insecure network configurations, Mac Spoofing and Identity theft, Denial of service attacks, and man in the middle attacks. (Wireless LAN Security)
Air Defense asserts that the Remote Sensors solution that it provides "sits near 802.11 access points to monitor all WLAN activities and report back to the server appliance, which analyses the traffic in real time." (Wireless LAN Security) The remote sensor performs several tasks including 24-hour monitoring of AWLN activities, coverage of up to 40,000 sq feet of office space, they are centrally managed, and they report to a back end server. (Wireless LAN Security) Server appliances also perform several tasks including enforcing WLAN policies, detecting hackers and threats to the system, providing a secure web based interface, and responds to network misconfigurations, policy violations and attacks. (Wireless LAN Security)
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