MARLBOROUGH, Mass. -- To address security threats to corporate information brought on by increasing deployment of Wi-Fi networks, 3Com today announced its AirProtect Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS). The AirProtect WIPS extends the advanced protection found in wired firewall and virtual private network security systems but with a focus on wireless local area networks (WLANs).

The AirProtect WIPS addresses the problems caused by deployment of unauthorized Wi-Fi access points – called rogue access points – that open up networks to hackers, exposing information about business operations, customers and products. It also prevents users from connecting to incorrect Wi-Fi access points - both internal and external - that can lead to security vulnerabilities. Wi-Fi is a standard for WLANs for businesses, homes and public hotspots that provide wireless access locations.

“In order to deliver a layered security approach across our infrastructure, we wanted advanced wireless protection to provide the same level of security we require for our wired infrastructure,” said K. Kim, Telecom Director at the Hawaii Department of Education, the nation’s 10th largest school district. “The 3Com AirProtect system completes the network defense started with the encryption and authentication in our wireless products and wired IPS by continuously scanning the airwaves and providing intrusion prevention against unauthorized Wi-Fi activities. To respond to today’s threats, WIPS needs to be part of any organization’s layered security policy.”

3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS)