When you're zooming through a network, who else is lurking in there? Ann
Arbor-based Interlink Networks is determined
to make sure the answer is "authorized users only." The firm creates
security software for Wi-Fi, mobile, and wired networks, protecting them
from hackers and trespassers. President and CEO Mike Klein chats about
keeping the bad guys at bay.
What got you personally interested in doing this work?
I am fascinated by Internet connectivity in general and wireless
networks in particular. Wireless technology is making life easier for
all of us because we can get online and communicate with far fewer
hassles, but there is a drawback. Because Wi-Fi comes out of the box
with security turned off, it's easier for "ordinary" users who don't
have a Ph.D. in computer science to ignore security than learn the
technology required to protect themselves against hackers. You read
stories every day about people who are victims of wireless
eavesdropping.
That's why I am interested in demystifying wireless security. Even if
you're not a big company, you should be able to defend your wireless
network with a simple plug-and-play strategy. That's what led us to
develop LucidLink, and that's what makes me excited to go to work every
day.
Why do you feel there's a need for what you provide?
Let's face it, wireless networks were designed by engineers for
engineers. They require users to be comfortable with technical terms
like ad-hoc and infrastructure mode, SSID, WPA, PSK, WEP, and 802.1X.
This makes it very difficult for mainstream users. It also leads to
potentially serious dangers associated with unsecured wireless networks.
Many users don't realize that their unsecured wireless networks are
probably listed on hackers' Web sites and can be accessed and monitored
from over a mile away with low-cost antennas.
Small business and home office professionals need an easy way to set up
and secure their networks to protect themselves against information
theft that can ruin their businesses. We've designed LucidLink for
non-technical users who want to set up their wireless network very
quickly with the same level of security that Fortune 500 companies use,
but without the technical gyrations that these large companies go
through. This is a first.
Why did the company choose to focus on SMBs and home office users?
The reason is simple: there was no good wireless security solution for
these two groups. Most small businesses and home offices have little or
no IT staff, but they need the same wireless security as a company with
billions of dollars in revenue. Until we introduced LucidLink, they had
two choices: adopt consumer-oriented security strategies such as WEP and
pre-shared keys that provide inadequate protection and are very
difficult to manage; or invest a week in technical training and
installation of expensive enterprise-level security solutions that
require ongoing technical support.
Neither option was desirable, so we created an "intelligent" product
that offers the same security technology used by big businesses but
hides the complexity behind a simple, plain-English interface. For the
first time, SMBs and home office users can set up and secure their
wireless networks in minutes without technical expertise in wireless
networking or security.
do you know a Detroit area company we should cover? Let us know about it.
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