Interlink Networks Announces Embeddable Wi-Fi Security Software; First Wireless Authentication Solution Available for OEM Integration

Interlink Networks today announced Padlock - an embedded software solution that secures wireless access products and broadband networks. Padlock provides IEEE 802.1X standards-based security capabilities in a very small design footprint, allowing easy integration into wireless LAN (WLAN) devices aimed at the small office and home office (SOHO) market. Padlock is designed for manufacturers of wireless access points, routers, residential gateways, and SOHO security appliances. These providers of wireless gear serve customers that have unmanaged IT environments.

(PRWEB) September 22, 2003 --Interlink Networks, a leading developer of network security and access control software, today announced Padlock - an embedded software solution that secures wireless access products and broadband networks. Padlock provides IEEE 802.1X standards-based security capabilities in a very small design footprint, allowing easy integration into wireless LAN (WLAN) devices aimed at the small office and home office (SOHO) market. Padlock is designed for manufacturers of wireless access points, routers, residential gateways, and SOHO security appliances. These providers of wireless gear serve customers that have unmanaged IT environments.

Padlocks complete enterprise-level wireless authentication capabilities enable wireless access products to be rapidly transformed into secure products that meet Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) requirements. The software uses strong 802.1X authentication to validate users attempting to access the network and secures the wireless connections, blocking potential intruders. When Padlock is integrated into a wireless hardware device such as an access point, the access point assumes the role of an authentication server, and no external RADIUS server, directory server, or additional devices are required to secure the wireless network.

Until now, Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers had to make a decision between security or ease-of-use. Users find Wi-Fi security so complex that they either ignore it or defer deploying it altogether," said Mike Klein, president and CEO of Interlink Networks. By embedding an 802.1X authentication server directly into the access point, network equipment manufacturers can strengthen their security offering and simplify the user configuration at the same time."

By incorporating Padlock into their wireless access products, OEMs will be able to differentiate their offerings with products that:

· Authenticate users via strong 802.1X authentication -- a requirement of the new WPA specification.
· Secure the network at Layer 2, protecting against specific vulnerabilities that Layer 3 solutions, such as VPNs, cannot protect against.
· Provide unique encryption keys for each user and communication session.
· Provide mutual authentication between the client and the authentication agent, increasing security.
· Support user authentication locally on the wireless access product.
· Support both Cisco and Microsofts PEAP authentication methods.
· Are easy to configure: just enter a user name and password for each authorized network user. Configuration is much less complex than WEP or PSK security.

Padlocks architecture is based on Interlink Networks RADIUS server software that has been commercially tested and deployed by system integrators and Internet service providers worldwide over the last decade.

About Interlink Networks:
Interlink Networks is a leader in securing 802.11 wireless LAN, mobile, and wired networks. The companys standards-based software blocks intruder access to networks using strong 802.1X authentication, a requirement of the new WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) specification. Interlinks offerings range from carrier-class and enterprise level solutions to appliance-ready software - ideal for OEM development designs. Interlink Networks is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, call (734) 821-1200 or visit http://www.interlinknetworks.com.

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