Potential wireless local area network (WLAN) end-users today face a perplexing choice of multiple standards in both hardware and security solutions. The latter consists of industry standards as well as proprietary offerings and solutions that range from legacy virtual private networks (VPNs) to hardware gateway boxes. Though the emergence of new security standards such as Wi-Fi protected access and 802.11i promises to clarify the situation to an extent, many end-users are likely to hold off on deployments until the standards are widely implemented and proven secure.

This Frost & Sullivan study analyses the global market for wireless LAN security technologies and covers dedicated security appliances, mobile VPN solutions, and stand-alone WLAN software security solutions. It explores the possible effects of the implementation of industry-wide standards and provides a geographic analysis of market drivers, restraints, and forecasts, identifying areas of growth.

Strong WLAN Adoptions to Continue Boosting Potential Market

"Wireless LAN technology has been living up to its hype for the last two years with phenomenal growth rates and ever-increasing numbers of applications," says the author of the study. "Its increasing ubiquitousness is helping to drive its own adoption rates."

As WLANs become more popular, the need to secure both past and current deployments will rise. While WLAN security standards are expected to secure the majority of deployments, certain applications or industries will need additional security measures that are simply beyond the ability or scope of these standards. Therefore, the larger the market, the greater is the opportunity.

Bucking Against the Incumbents

Many wireless LANs are being deployed in networks where solutions providers already have their own security solutions integrated into the offerings or are planning on doing so. New WLAN security solutions providers will find these incumbents to be formidable competitors because of their prior relationship with their clientele. A partnership strategy will probably be best in overcoming this obstacle although there will always be a place for those who offer strong value in their solutions and pay close attention to their customers' needs.