CWNP Sponsors Wireless Security Vulnerabilities and Exploits Database

Network Chemistry Spearheads Public-Interest Initiative to Categorize and Standardize Names of Publicly Known Wireless Security Threats

REDWOOD CITY, Calif, December 5, 2005 - Network Chemistry, the wireless security experts, announced the availability of the industry's first public database to aggregate and communicate wireless vulnerabilities and exploits (WVE). The WVE database (located at www.WirelessVE.org) was created to catalogue security threats for products or protocols specifically designed for wireless communications including 802.11, Bluetooth, EVDO, EDGE, HSDPA, 802.16/WiMax, VoWLAN, RFID, and others.

WVE will help increase awareness of wireless security threats and provide insights into how to prevent attacks by providing a single public repository for learning about the latest wireless vulnerabilities and exploits. By providing a standard list for publicly known wireless security threats and establishing a common nomenclature for security analysts, vendors, and consultants, WVE will also facilitate industry communications.

The vendor-neutral initiative is being sponsored by CWNP, the leading provider of training and certification exams for wireless LAN technologies, and by the Advanced Center for Defense Studies, a Washington D.C.-based think tank that coordinates and directs research and education in cyber security and information assurance. The initiative will be managed by an Editorial Board of leading technologists from academic, commercial, training, government, and research organizations in the wireless- and security-related communities. Network Chemistry will maintain the WVE web site and provide impartial guidance to the Editorial Board related to the continuing development of the database and associated efforts.

"Based on our experience training and certifying networking professionals in wireless technologies from most of the Fortune 500, we know that there exists a need to provide a platform for the dissemination of vulnerability information that organizations can trust," said Kevin Sandlin, chief executive officer at CWNP. "As the industry-standard educator of wireless IT professionals, the CWNP Program proudly stands behind the creation of WVE."

Members of the WVE Editorial Board are a wide and diverse group of prominent wireless and security experts:

• Devin Akin, CTO of CWNP, the industry standard for wireless LAN training and certification
• Dr. Newton Howard, expert in Homeland Security, intelligence analysis, and cyber security and advisor to the U.S. special operations community
• Mike Kershaw, author of Kismet, a popular open-source project for 802.11 wireless network detection, sniffing, and intrusion detection
• Andrew Lockhart, lead security analyst at Network Chemistry and author of Snort-Wireless, an open source project adding wireless intrusion detection to Snort
• Joshua Wright, a recognized wireless security expert and researcher
• Lisa Phifer, vice president of Core Competence, a network and security consulting firm

"Organizations are hungry for more knowledge about the risks associated with wireless networking, and up to now, they had nowhere to turn for independent, authoritative research and information," said Dr. Chris Waters, co-founder and chief technology officer at Network Chemistry. "The WVE database is designed to meet this need and ultimately help reduce enterprises' exposure to wireless threats. We have always contributed tools and information to benefit the technical community in regard to wireless security, so it was natural for us to jump-start and lead this important industry initiative."

WVE was chartered as a community-based initiative to leverage the discoveries made by thousands of wireless and security experts responsible for managing and protecting wireless networks and users. Anyone can submit a discovered vulnerability or exploit to the WVE database. The submission is reviewed by the Editorial Board and if deemed potentially valid, it is given a unique WVE name and published as a candidate on the WVE website. Only after a candidate has been thoroughly reviewed by the Editorial Board will become an official entry.

"The mitigation of wireless threats is of high importance to organizations with national and global security concerns, so it was obvious for us to be a founding sponsor and help advance the WVE initiative," said Alan Steinberg, senior researcher at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies. "Better understanding and awareness start with everyone speaking the same language. We are confident that WVE will make an immediate positive impact."

About Network Chemistry

Network Chemistry is the industry standard for assuring the security of wireless networks, data, and users. More than 300 of the world's most successful enterprises and demanding government agencies trust Network Chemistry's wireless threat protection solutions to prevent attacks, detect vulnerabilities, intrusions and policy violations, accelerate incident response, and conduct surveys for wireless LAN deployment planning. Network Chemistry has received numerous accolades, including the top score in SC Magazine's "Wireless Security Group Test," as well as its "Global Award," and "5 Star Winner" honors; Network Computing's "Best Value," for two consecutive years; and 802.11 Planet's "Best of Show." The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California. For more information, visit www.networkchemistry.com or call 1-888-952-6477

About The CWNP Program

The CWNP Program is the industry standard for wireless LAN training and certification. IT professionals in 86 countries have achieved CWNP certification in how to make wireless LANs more secure, cost-effective, and reliable. More than 20 Wi-Fi industry-leading companies have become technology partners with the CWNP Program. The CWNP Program was created by Planet3 Wireless, Inc., a privately-held Georgia corporation. For more information about the CWNP Program, visit www.cwnp.com