Meru tackles communications security

Most wireless security schemes protect communications at the network level via methods such as Wi-Fi Protected Access and packet encryption. But they still have enough holes that many government enterprises operating at the highest security levels prefer to ban wireless networks altogether.

Meru Networks, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., believes it has solved those problems with a solution that protects communications at the radio frequency signal level.

Microscanning allows Meru's wireless access points to inspect packets and channels for security violations, radio jamming and transmission scrambling. The company said the approach filters rogue packets and transmissions and stops potential attacks before they can affect wireless communications.

The three features are additions to standard Wi-Fi protection.

Unlike other wireless security solutions, Meru's solution conducts its scanning without disrupting network services, company officials said. They said that is critical for enterprises that use wireless voice and data for mission-critical applications. Those organizations can't tolerate the interruptions that occur with regular security solutions.

Meru's Security Services Module, a software product, functions as a part of the company's System Director operating system and is installed on the Meru Wireless LAN System's controller.

It will be available at the beginning of the second quarter of this year, and its prices will start at $2,500.