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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
iPass Demonstrates Combined 802.1x and GIS Secure Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Connectivity
SINGAPORE, June 15 -- iPass Inc. (Nasdaq: IPAS)
announced today the use of its award-winning iPassConnect(TM) universal client
as part of the world's first live demonstration of 802.1x coexisting with the
broadly adopted Generic Interface Specification (GIS) and browser based
authentication on a public Wi-Fi hotspot network. iPass, which offers
enterprises simple, secure connectivity services for mobile workers, is
providing the 802.1x technical integration for the demonstration. The
demonstration at CommunicAsia 2004, Asia's largest communications and IT trade
event, is being conducted by iCell together with the Infocomm Development
Authority (IDA) of Singapore, Intel Corporation, and iPass.
802.1x is a network access control protocol that provides enhanced
security between Wi-Fi-enabled devices and Wi-Fi access points, protecting
against rogue access points, credential theft, and stealing data during the
wireless session. It is a critical piece of the WPA and 802.11i standards
being adopted across the Wi-Fi industry. Support for 802.1x was first added
to iPassConnect in June of 2003 for use over both corporate wireless LANs and
public hotspots.
802.1x and GIS work together to secure Wi-Fi network access. Prior to
the advent of 802.1x, iPass secured hotspots on its network through the GIS.
Since its introduction in early 2002, the iPass-created GIS protocol has
become the de facto standard for securely authenticating to Wi-Fi hotspots,
and has been adopted by numerous access point hardware manufacturers and
network operators. Today 27 providers representing nearly 10,000 active
hotspots are already GIS-compliant and more than another 80 providers have
agreed to comply with the specification. This broad support makes coexistence
between GIS and 802.1x critical as the Wi-Fi industry migrates to
next-generation security.
The demonstration today also shows that Wi-Fi providers who are GIS
compliant can use that protocol as a "bridge" between browser-based (or UAM)
and 802.1x access methods for the enterprise market.
Over the past year both wireless LAN equipment vendors and leading iPass
hotspot provider partners such as T-Mobile HotSpot have announced plans to
upgrade their hotspot networks to include 802.1x.
"Mobile workers are an important constituency in the growth of Wi-Fi and
many providers are learning that addressing the security needs of the
enterprise IT department is a key ingredient for commercial success," said
Barbara Nelson, director of advanced technology at iPass. "802.1x provides
features that makes these public hotspot networks more attractive for use by
employees on the go. iPass has worked very closely with Intel and the
Singapore IDA to develop a co-existence framework that will allow users with
older systems to use public hotspots while providing the enhanced security of
802.1x to those who can take advantage of it and this show demonstrates how
iPass has been able to update our authentication architecture and client to
support the framework."
In the 18 months since iPass has been working with IDA, Intel and other
key technology companies at the Singapore test bed under the Wireless
Interworking Initiative, progress has been made in solving the technical
challenges of roaming between wireless hotspots.
"Layering 802.1x on top of roaming by iPass at public hotspots is a great
demonstration of how to increase security and pave the way for consistent,
easier access to Wi-Fi hotspots," said Dan Dahle, Technology Manager from
Intel's Communications Technology Lab. "And easier user access is critical to
Intel's effort to promote the proliferation of wireless hotspots worldwide."
About iPass
iPass Inc. delivers enterprises simple, secure and manageable connectivity
services for mobile workers as they move between office, home, and remote
locations. iPass combines its global network of dial-up, Ethernet and the
world's largest Wi-Fi footprint with support for campus wireless LANs and home
broadband connections to deliver a unified and comprehensive solution. The
award-winning iPassConnect(TM) user interface, centralized management, leading
security features and powerful policy enforcement make iPass services the
choice of hundreds of Global 2000 corporations including General Motors,
Cargill and Underwriters Laboratories. Founded in 1996, iPass is
headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., with offices throughout North
America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information visit http://www.ipass.com.
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