Firebrand Training News Desk

Lack of wireless security threatens future of UK small business community

~ SMEs must think like hackers to beat them at their own game ~

July 10, 2008

SMEs are endangering critical corporate information by failing to adequately secure wireless networks.

Failure to change preset ‘admin’ security settings, choosing easy-to-crack passwords and making the network visible to potential attackers are the three most common mistakes made by small businesses with their wireless setup.

This is according to Firebrand Training, which is urging SMEs to take a more proactive approach to wireless security – by learning the tricks of the hacker trade to stay one step ahead of attacks.

The Accelerated Learning pioneer has launched Wireless networks: are we jWhite ust leaving the stable door wide open?, a White Paper that sets out the key strategies employed by hackers against corporate wireless networks. By understanding the attack tactics employed in a hacking attack, SMEs can pre-test their own wireless networks for any potential weaknesses that could be compromised in a real life breach.

The paper also recommends using tools implemented by hackers to glean information about a network before an attack. Common hacker tricks including ‘sniffers’ such as Kismet, penetration tools like the Aircrack suite and tracers such as Netstumbler are set out as potential elements to help test a network’s resilience.

To download a copy of the full White Paper please go to: http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/whitepapers/

Executive quote

“Many SMEs may not have a dedicated team in charge of network security, but this is no excuse for not having the necessary measures in place,” said Rob Chapman, CEO, Firebrand Training. “Wireless networks are highly convenient and extremely quick to implement but if simple security measures are ignored, wireless weaknesses could open the door to a devastating hack attack.”

“Know your enemy,” Chapman continued, “Tracking the footprints of an attack before it happens, and taking effective steps to protect the network against specific threats will be the only way small businesses will ensure their data remains secure and in the right hands.”

About the company

Firebrand Training is challenging the way in which professional training is delivered.

Firebrand Training, formerly known as The Training Camp, has pioneered Accelerated Learning courses for busy IT professionals. The organisation’s innovative approach to course delivery has led to its status as the Institute of IT Training’s “IT Training Company of the Year” for the past three consecutive years.

Students are totally immersed in the subject matter, receiving an average of 12 hours intense tuition per day at a residential training site. Subject experts implement a range of teaching methodologies designed to fit with how we best understand and retain information during different periods in the day. Accelerated Learning is an attractive proposition for contractors, whose time commands very high premiums, and employers who need to minimise staff absence. Firebrand Training has an above average pass rate of 85% - confounding critics’ claims that Accelerated Learning fails to produce results.

Firebrand Training was founded by Robert Chapman and Stefano Capaldo in Summer 2001 as The Training Camp. Stefano was a former student in the US and rated the company’s approach so highly that he decided to launch a programme of courses in the UK. The organisation has since been recognised by Microsoft as a Gold Partner for Learning Solutions (MCPLS) and over 12,000 students have been trained in the UK to date. The success of the company enabled the management team to relaunch as Firebrand Training, which is focused on delivering training courses specifically designed for a European market.

Firebrand Training offers a range of courses covering all major vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Sun, and Novell, as well as specialist certifications in the areas of security, business intelligence, project and business process management.

Contact details

For press enquiries, please contact Jade Wilkinson at LEWIS:

Tel: +44 (0) 161 601 7740

Fax: + 44 (0) 161 601 7741

Email: firebrandtraining@lewispr.com

Technorati tags: Firebrand Training | ethical hacking | White Paper |

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