News
Issue #2003 - 20 (June 2003)
(Updated June 30, 2003)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

IBM Includes Security in WebSphere for Enterprise Access Through Hotspots

Source: FierceWireless and IBM

IBM announced new software that provides mobile workers with a high level of secure access to enterprise information from wireless hot spots.

The newest version of the company's WebSphere Everyplace Connection Manager software was recently awarded the Federal Information Processing Standard FIPS 140-2 level of certification on AIX 5.2, Trusted Solaris, and all Windows clients. FIPS 140-2 was developed by the U.S. and Canadian governments and defines the requirements for commercial cryptographic products which may be procured by U.S. and Canadian federal agencies (it is also becoming a bench mark for federal, state, and local governments, and for security-sensitive enterprises, in judging the security strength of enterprise networking products).

IBM also offers its Global Services security consultants who, using Wireless Security Auditor and other wireless security tools, provide system administrators with a way to assess security vulnerability in wireless systems. The new version of WebSphere Everyplace Connection Manager allows mobile employees to use a laptop or a PDA to move from location to location, maintaining access to information across Wi-Fi, cellular, wireless data telecommunications, iDEN, CDMA, and PWLAN hot spots without interrupting Web connections or losing an existing session. The software creates a mobile VPN for both IP networks and non-IP or private packet radio networks. The seamless, cross networking roaming capability ensures that end users would not be disconnected from their session and forced to restart the application, re-authenticate to the firewall, obtain a new IP address, and renew the VPN connection. 

Keeping a seamless connection while roaming is especially important when exchanging instant messages, because dropping the connection would result in losing an entire conversation string. The implications for homeland security and public safety agencies communicating across multiple jurisdictions and sharing information across different networks in a crisis is obvious. WebSphere Everyplace Connection Manager version 5.0 is currently available, and may be purchased as an individual product or as part of IBM's new Mobile Office Entry Jumpstart solution. IBM's Mobile Office Entry Jumpstart solution also includes WebSphere Everyplace Access software, IBM eServers, and IBM services.

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: IBM's entry into hotspot security solution was expected considering industry-wide belief that enterprise WLANs and WLAN-based hotspots will constitute major infrastructure for carrying corporate data to mobile professionals. IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Connection Manager is a sophisticated but complex solution. Seamless persistent session capability is significant. That's why it is suitable for either large enterprises with in-house expertise or those who can afford IBM's global services. It is not for the feint-hearted or small organizations.

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