WiMAX forum needs to take a harder line on security.(USER)

Publication: RETHINK IT

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Rethink Research Associates

Security is probably the single most important issue in deciding the level of uptake of a networking technology. Repeated security fears have dogged enterprise Wi-Fi long after most problems have been addressed, and carriers are, predictably, even more sensitive. The cellular networks have had a strong record in security, but even they have recently become the subject of often overblown scare stories about mobile viruses and other attacks. It will be critical, as WiMAX approaches real world adoption, that it can offer a strongly reassuring security picture to corporate and telco customers.

It is increasingly clear that the WiMAX Forum needs to mandate the AES (Advanced Encyption System) and other fundamental and trusted mechanisms, as the Wi-Fi Alliance has done. However, this may not happen until the appearance of the 802.16e mobile standard, which could further sideline the current 802.16-2004 implementation.

WiMAX vendors are already seeking to beef up their security and use these features for differentiation. In a standards world, competitive success rests on unique functionality in the higher layers, and so far,...

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