An Introduction to Wireless Technology, Second Edition

In addition to these general principles regarding the protection of sensitive

information, there are some additional factors which are only present in wireless

communication security. The first consideration is that eavesdropping on a

wireless communication can be performed without having to break into a secure

location. Secondly, it is very difficult to determine if a wireless transmission is

being received by an unauthorized person. And thirdly, it is very difficult to trace

who may be receiving the transmission.

The factors discussed above, do not make wireless communication less secure,

but there is less risk to those attempting to steal proprietary information of being

caught and prosecuted. In some countries, it is seen as incumbent upon owners

of information to take steps to provide adequate security to protect sensitive

information. This means that a potential industrial spy must defeat some kind of

security system and in doing so the act becomes illegal. If there is no security

system, then information may be seen as public domain and no criminal act has

occurred. In other legal systems it may not be illegal to listen or decode

transmitted information, but using that information for personal gain or passing it

on to a third party may be a criminal offense. The laws relating to the ownership

of information is are varied and complex and become even more convoluted if

information is transmitted across national boundaries.

The answer in all cases of sending sensitive information from one place to

another, is to provide adequate protection. In the case of transmission of

electronic information this will normally mean encryption. As discussed in 6.1.5,

“Security” on page 124, encryption should be used on the whole length of data

path, and not just on the wireless interface. Modulation techniques,

compression, packetization and spread spectrum, all make it more difficult to

decode a data transmission. However, these technologies are all commercially

available and do not guarantee that the data cannot be retrieved by

unauthorized persons.

In summary, the security aspects of wireless transmission are not fundamentally

any different to other transmission methods. If sensitive information is sent

outside a secure environment, it must be protected.

8.8 Benefits

Some of the more obvious benefits of using wireless communications have been

mentioned in previous chapters. It is appropriate to bring these benefits and

less obvious ones together in one section where those people who are

considering using wireless to enhance business processes and improve

everyday life can quantify the effect.

The benefit that probably comes to mind first of all is that of mobility. The user

of wireless services is not tied to a single location and can travel around while

still staying in touch with people and services as required. At first sight it may

not be apparent that many people have need for this kind of mobility in their

daily lives, but it is certain that every enterprise has a least some of its workers

who are mobile. Mobility can be defined in many ways; from the needs of a

world traveler in many different countries and remote regions, to the office

worker who has stepped out of his office to converse with a colleague, and thus

misses an important phone call. Wireless solutions can address both of these

needs together with a vast range of voice and data requirements in between.

Analog and digital cellular phone networks, PCN/PCS networks, cordless

phones, satellite communications, RF or infrared LANs, paging systems, mobile

148 An Introduction to Wireless Technology