Boston - June 25, 2003 -- Newbury Networks Inc., the first and only supplier of 802.11-based location-enabled network(tm) solutions (LENs), today announced WiFi Watchdog(tm) 2.0 at the 802.11 Planet Conference and Exposition. The enhanced location-based software solution secures enterprise networks, both wired and wireless, against wireless intruders.
WiFi Watchdog works with any standard wireless LAN (WLAN) deployment to detect, monitor and secure the location of all 802.11 traffic. It identifies any type of 802.11 device - authorized or unauthorized - as well as rogue access points and then immediately alerts IT personnel of any potential intruder actions. WiFi Watchdog is a J2EE server-based application that is comprised of the sophisticated tracking and monitoring capabilities of Newbury Networks' award-winning LocaleServer(tm) application platform. Together with Newbury's LocalePoint(tm) appliances the solution delivers the first step in securing both wired and wireless networks -- from departmental usage of WiFi-enabled devices such as laptops, PDAs and access points to full enterprise-wide deployments.
In addition, WiFi Watchdog 2.0's capabilities go beyond precise location-based detection and monitoring of 802.11 traffic. It now includes enhanced enterprise-focused features such as built-in RADIUS, 802.1x servers and server proxies for authenticating and disallowing network connectivity based on location.
"Wi-Fi, bolstered by strong support by industry heavyweights such as Intel and Microsoft, is one hot technology trend that transcends consumer and business markets," said Michael Maggio, president and CEO of Newbury Networks. "With Wi-Fi capabilities now standard in most computers, there's simply no stopping its adoption into enterprises. This means that every wireless laptop is now an open port to the wired network. Since a 'no WiFi' policy is not practical, organizations need sophisticated solutions like WiFi Watchdog to tell them who, what and where wireless activity is occurring in order to secure enterprise networks against wireless intruders."
To address the critical network security issues, WiFi Watchdog 2.0 provides the following key features:
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Wireless Activity Detection- WiFi Watchdog 2.0 helps IT professionals quickly and easily locate and target rogue access points or other devices such as notebook computers in ad-hoc mode - a key source of WLAN security breaches - down to exactly where they reside in or outside the facility. Whenever a device or user is identified, WiFi Watchdog 2.0 immediately determines if it's an unknown intruder or approved device. Once this intruder is flagged, it automatically triggers an alert containing the location, device information and user profile to the network or system administrator to take action.
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Integrated RADIUS and 802.1x Servers and Server Proxies - New capabilities in WiFi Watchdog 2.0 authenticate and disallow network connectivity based on location. User, location, and group access privileges are controlled at the AP level to facilitate granting or denying access based on the individual's profile.
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Live Monitoring - WiFi Watchdog 2.0 is equipped with a real-time monitoring "dashboard" to visualize all user or device traffic by location. This provides unprecedented security capabilities by first pinpointing potential unknown users' physical locations. Open and vulnerable connections to the wired and wireless networks are also immediately identified through this monitor.
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Path and Pattern Reporting - WiFi Watchdog 2.0 includes useful reporting and analysis tools to assist IT professionals in identifying patterns highlighting unsecured areas, strangers or undesirable guests all by location.
WiFi Watchdog is currently deployed at a number of corporate enterprises and government facilities.
WiFi Watchdog 2.0 is available immediately and is priced at $29,995. For smaller enterprise deployments, Newbury Networks also offers WiFi Watchdog 2.0 Standard Edition for $9,995.
Newbury Networks (www.newburynetworks.com) is the first and only supplier of location-enabled networks, which enable IT professionals at enterprises, government and military facilities, and public hotspots to detect, monitor and secure WLANs by location. Newbury's flagship product, WiFi Watchdog provides unprecedented security through its unique location-based tracking and monitoring capabilities. In addition to its core application platform, LocaleServer, Newbury offers specialized packaged applications for organizations to rapidly enable services and applications for network and content provisioning by location.
Unlike traditional wireless "sniffers" and network management solutions, Newbury's products provide capabilities for monitoring and managing WLANs by location - ultimately resulting in enhanced security and system performance. And unlike other location-based offerings, its server-based approach enables content and network provisioning, tracking, logging and analysis. Newbury Networks was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Boston.
