Public Wi-Fi Possible Risk For Cities

While lawmakers debate an extension of the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, internet security specialists are noting that new wireless networks found in many cities may make those cities especially vulnerable.

“The bad guys know two things: 1) We are a wireless society that demands remote access and reliable communications, and 2) we do not do security very well,” said Winn Schwartau, a technology security expert and founder of the InfowarCon conference.

This year's InfowarCon conference, which began in 1993, will include a program to demonstrate just how vulnerable many cities are to a terrorist attack utilizing Wi-Fi during its September meeting.

As a part-time resident of Whistler, British Columbia, a suburb of the 2010 Winter Olympics host city, Vancouver, Mr. Schwartau said he has seen just how connected to the internet some cities have become.

“Whistler, right outside of Vancouver, is building a massive wireless infrastructure,” he said in a statement. “It's going to be ubiquitous to enable everyone from athletes, to visitors to event organizers.”

In addition to cities, Mr. Schwartau said other entities should also be aware of the security risks the modern wireless Internet network poses.

“All organizations, private, civilian, military or government, need toknow how terrorists or commercial adversaries will break into wirelessdevices, then take over systems and compromise real-world information,all invisibly from afar,” Mr. Schwartau said.

For additional information on the September conference go to www.infowarcon.com.