Companies Gird to Protect Wireless LANs

One wireless network security company landed $10 million in venture funding and another unveiled a new version of its product last week in the market to secure fast-growing wireless LANs against hackers.

AirTight Networks Inc. secured $10.25 million from a group of venture-capital companies led by Walden International. AirTight, which also changed its name from Wibhu Technologies, says it plans to use the funding to launch a wireless LAN firewall application this month.

AirTight's SpectraGuard firewall will help companies map wireless sensors throughout their networks, precisely locate and track wireless devices, and protect wireless networks from attack.

Meanwhile, AirDefense Inc. said it will make the latest version of its wireless LAN-security software available later this month. AirDefense Enterprise 6 will help security administrators better defend against many types of attacks, the company says. The software gives admins the ability to instantly analyze, block, or disconnect hacker and denial-of-service attacks. AirDefense Enterprise uses radio-enabled sensors to monitor wireless-network traffic.

Sales of wireless LAN gear will grow 20% to $2.1 billion this year, says market researcher Dell'Oro Group, which predicts that wireless-access-point shipments will increase 47% a year through 2008.