Cirond Unveils Strategy to Address Wireless Security Needs of $4 Billion Network Security Market
New AirPatrol Enterprise and AirSafe Solutions Form the Backbone of New Wireless Security Suite
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2004-- Cirond Corporation (OTCBB:CROO) today announced a comprehensive strategy to deal with the significant threat to network security posed by the implementation of wireless laptop computers and other wireless devices. Cirond estimates the market for technologies addressing this problem to be in excess of $100 million for this year alone. This year the computer industry expects to ship more than 27 million wireless-enabled computer systems, most of which will be laptops. "Wireless networking is one of the most important developments in computer technology of the decade, but at the same time, it also represents arguably the biggest threat to corporate network security since the advent of the Internet," said Cirond President and CEO Nicholas Miller. "Consequently, we have decided to focus the entire resources of our company and leverage our mature technologies in this space to develop a suite of products to comprehensively address this problem."
"The recent Department of Defense directive that its systems must have a solution in place to address these issues by Oct. 11 -- along with the urgent requirement for corporations to secure their networks, has created a pressing need for technologies to resolve the security issues presented by the rapid adoption of wireless technologies. Consequently, it is our corporate objective to aggressively leverage our extensive experience in creating wireless network security solutions -- evidenced by our recent product announcements and technology licensing deals -- to secure a significant portion of this major market opportunity."
Whenever a wireless-enabled computer is plugged into a corporate network -- and certain wireless capabilities are left on -- network security is potentially compromised, as access to the network can be inadvertently broadcast to unauthorized and potentially undetected users outside the business premises. Similarly, the installation of unauthorized wireless access points, which due to their extremely low cost, are increasingly being purchased and installed by employees so they can use their laptops wirelessly within the office, exposes corporate networks to a high level of danger.
"Throughout the world, corporations collectively spend billions every year to ensure the security of their networks, yet a single unauthorized wireless device connected to a corporate network can render that investment useless," said Miller. "Cirond has developed a suite of products specifically designed to meet this threat and ensure that corporate data on a user's computer and shared data on the corporate network, is never compromised by being exposed to unauthorized wireless access."
Cirond Unveils New Security Strategy
Cirond's new strategy uniquely addresses these security threats with a two pronged approach. First, by uniquely addressing the problem at its source, by automatically disabling the wireless capability of laptops whenever they are connected to the corporate wired network; and second by providing a comprehensive capability to not only detect but also to locate unauthorized wireless devices. "Our strategy is analogous to that used for physical building security," said Miller. "To secure a building properly you not only lock the doors, but you also install an alarm system. Our strategy enables corporations to lock the doors by preventing wireless laptops from inadvertently providing unauthorized access to the corporate network, and alarms the building, by providing a best-in-class wireless equipment detection and location capability."
Cirond's new AirSafe(TM) product -- announced today with site licensing agreements starting at $1,000 -- enables network administrators to simplify and standardize wireless connectivity across the enterprise, while eliminating the security risks associated with the uncontrolled deployment of wireless technology. A key security feature of AirSafe, is that it automatically disables the wireless radio in a laptop computer whenever it is plugged into a wired corporate network. This eliminates the possibility of a user inadvertently re-broadcasting a connection to the corporate network to unauthorized users -- thereby locking the wireless "front door." AirSafe is also designed to simplify the task of implementing standardized policies across the enterprise to control how, when and where wireless connectivity is enabled.
In the case of a company which only has a wired network, access control is already an element of the corporate wired network -- yet there is no way of alerting corporate network administrators that an unauthorized wireless device has left the wired network open to attack. Cirond's AirPatrol Enterprise(TM) -- which Cirond today announced will ship on August 1, priced at $6,995 -- provides best-in-class, instantaneous detection and location of all wireless devices, highlighting those that are unauthorized. It creates a 24x7 "alarm system" that alerts network administrators instantly when the network is exposed to a wireless attack.
The combination of AirSafe and AirPatrol Enterprise represents the first complete solution to the security threat posed by wireless technology that both eliminates the problem at source, while also providing comprehensive alerting and monitoring capabilities that both detect and locate unauthorized wireless equipment.
About Cirond
San Jose, California-based Cirond Corporation (OTCBB: CROO.ob) is dedicated to making 802.11-based wireless networks easier to install and work more effectively for corporations, small businesses, professionals and consumers. Cirond products include AirPatrol Mobile and AirPatrol Enterprise (Rogue access point detection and network security solutions) and the Winc and pocketWinc wireless connectivity tools for the Windows and Pocket PC family of operating systems. Cirond products are available directly through the company's Web site at http://www.cirond.com or through its network of value added resellers.
Cirond: Wireless Security Solutions for Business
Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements
Forward looking statements as set forth in this press release are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control and many of which, with respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the price/performance requirements of customers, the ability to sell products incorporating the technology, the impact and pricing of competing technologies, the introduction of alternative technological solutions, and other risks detailed from time-to-time in Cirond's SEC filings and reports.
Contacts
Cirond Corporation
Geof Wheelwright, 866-824-7662
or
CCG
Valerie Bent, 702-270-9696
Mobile: 702-592-7570
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