As an intermediate WLAN security solution that can be applied to existing WLAN client hardware, the Wi-Fi Alliance has adopted Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). Proxim will implement WPA on client and access point products and make this available in the middle of 2003.
WPA is a specification of standards-based, interoperable security enhancements that strongly increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future wireless LAN systems.
Wi-Fi Protected Access is derived from, and will be forward compatible with the upcoming IEEE 802.11i standard. When properly installed, it will provide wireless LAN users with a high level of assurance that their data will remain protected and that only authorized network users can access the network. The Wi-Fi Alliance plans to begin interoperability certification testing on Wi-Fi Protected Access products starting mid-2003.