New York City to Deploy Security for First Responder Wireless Access

SafeConnect -- a layer 2 secure access solution for enterprise networks, which provides commercially available military-grade security for remote workers' communications over public WiFi hotspots, home wireless networks, and other high-threat remote environments -- will be deployed in New York City as a key security component of the National Technology Alliance's GUARD program, a showcase first-responder network. Cranite Systems Inc., a leading provider of secure network access technologies, announced last week the availability of SafeConnect.

SafeConnect protects remote users by extending the enterprise network's security perimeter to wired and wireless public networks. SafeConnect also saves time and money by allowing organizations to leverage existing investments in perimeter protection.

For GUARD, SafeConnect cryptographically separates traffic on the shared network into separate virtual Layer 2 networks. For example, police and fire departments no longer need to set up independent physical networks at an incident site. SafeConnect saves first responders' time and resources while providing the highest levels of security, privacy, and access.

"The wired to wireless transformation is revolutionary because of the velocity of the change," said General Jerry Schumacher, U.S. Army (Ret.), the former commander of the White House Communications Agency. "As a part of that change we need to improve security, particularly in the government sector. Cranite is leading the way with SafeConnect."

SafeConnect enables workers to securely access their enterprise networks from remote locations that would otherwise be untrusted. Wireless hotspots provide convenient Internet access but are completely open to attackers, worms, and other threats.