Abstract
Wireless networking is making rapid inroads as a viable alternative to traditional wired networks for businesses where convenience and mobility is important for day to day operations. However, the improved convenience brings with it concerns for the confidentiality of information. This is because wireless network transmissions are easily accessible to outsiders. There is therefore a need for security mechanisms to stop intruders from accessing confidential business information.
Currently there are wireless standards such as 802.11(a, b, and g), Bluetooth, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and General System for Mobile Communications (GSM), which have built in security features to secure wireless transmissions. These security features are currently employed in the wireless standards used by companies in the telecommunications sector of New Zealand. This dissertation reveals many of the flaws of these security features.
This study was conducted to consider:
(i) The prevalence of current wireless standards in the telecommunications business sector of New Zealand;
(ii) The perceived security of these wireless standards by companies in the telecommunications sector of New Zealand;
(iii) Whether the security features of these wireless standards are suitably sufficient to ensure secure wireless transmissions; and
(iv) Whether there are any reasons for slowing, or even stopping, the influx of wireless networks in New Zealand.
The study concludes that businesses in this sector will use wireless networks only where they have total confidence that the networks are secure.