All I can say about this is thank God the Navy understands the repercussions of insecure wireless LANs. Especially when it comes to the military, extremely sensitive data and information is at stake, and you don’t want just anyone to be able to waltz into a wireless LAN and have a look around. Let’s just hope the policies the Navy implements are not only robust, but are actually followed.

The Navy, addressing concerns over the security of wireless networks and communications devices, has issued a servicewide policy setting standards for the use of commercial wireless hardware and services.

The policy, issued Nov. 30 by acting CIO John Lussier, applies to all unclassified commercial WLAN devices, services and technologies.

“Although sometimes mischaracterized as lacking security, wireless networks can in fact provide as much or as little security as the user wants,” said Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Association International, a trade association in Washington.

“The instruction on improved network security for wireless local area networks is a logical next step for the military’s increasing use of advanced mobile networks facilitated by commercial providers,” Kreig added. “This instruction underscores the military’s commitment to the benefits of advanced networks, and also to taking necessary security precautions in a uniform manner across many applications, continents and, of course, high seas.”[more]

Tags: Defense in Depth, Wireless Security