While the warehousing & distribution markets have been utilizing wireless networking solutions for some time and that vertical continues to dominate WLAN sales, the Healthcare market continues widespread adoption of wireless technology.  Additionally, the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) has established patient’s rights & protections by requiring healthcare providers to ensure privacy of patients medical records which can be best accomplished by implementing a strong IT enterprise WLAN security policy & technology solution.

Adoption of WLAN solutions by healthcare providers is being driven additionally by the need of increased efficiency, reduction of errors and improved overall patient satisfaction.  International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that the use of handheld wireless devices by healthcare workers will grow by nearly 40 percent by 2005 specifically addressing areas such as: 

• Medication accuracy

• Immediacy of data of medical records access & patient record keeping

• Testing & specimen tracking

• Emergence of sophisticated PC Tablet & PDA products

• VOIP for nurse-call communication with doctors 

WLAN security issues have been well documented with most VARs & Healthcare organizations aware that WEP (wired equivalent privacy) may be easily compromised and/or breached.  WEP is not an end-to-end, unbreakable, totally secure communication.  WEP is designed to provide the equivalent to an unencrypted wired connection.  Implementations of advanced authentication systems using ID-based RADIUS based solutions that require the access points and client to participate in the authentication process is providing the WLAN security and patient protection defined by the HIPPA regulations. 

As a Value Added WLAN Distributor, WAV recognizes that the healthcare market opportunities are better addressed with robust security solutions provided by VARs in their respective communities.  For this reason, WAV has forged relationships with companies like ReefEdge that provide industry leading WLAN security products that eliminate the security risks and complexities of deploying and operating unparalleled mobility, scalability and management.  ReefEdge enables enterprises, services providers and mobile operators to become confident in the deployment, security, usability and performance of their wireless networks, while enabling end users to take full advantage of the benefits of these networks.  In addition to the superior products provided by ReefEdge, WAV offers its VARs the following WLAN technical services: 

• Security Consulting & Training

• Network Vulnerability Assessments

• Security Policy Review

• Security Implementation

• Facility Site Surveys 

A recent Reefedge Healthcare WLAN Security implementation can be reviewed at: