Identity Management

As the number of users and applications on enterprise networks increase, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage identities. Users both within and outside the organisation need to have selective access to servers and applications. This can potentially diminish network/data security as sensitive information is exposed. It also raises a couple of challenges: Does a user really need to have a separate identity (login ID and password) for each server/application? How are you going to ensure that users change their respective passwords every month or so? And how are you going to protect identities and mitigate identity theft? That's where Identity Management (IM) comes in. IM is the creation, management and use of online or digital identities. It involves managing the full life cycle of the digital identity - from creation and maintenance to termination, as well as enforcing policies that concern access to electronic resources. IM is related to Directory Services, since machines and applications also have identities. A directory service is a database of all network resources and users on the network. Each user or resource has a unique identity.

What is Wi-Fi ?

Wireless Fidelity or Wi-Fi, as it is more commonly known is the wireless network standard that enables establishments like hotels, educational institutes, airports etc. to provide high speed internet access to customers and employees. Wi-Fi consists of an access point and a wireless card or PCMCA card for the PC or laptop. By installing the simple software, the service can be picked up by the Wi-Fi enabled access device. The technology can transmit through air, walls or ceilings and does not give the inconvenience of redoing interiors for laying data access cables throughout the building. Most new generation laptops have built-in Wi-Fi capability. And very soon we should see appliances like phones, PDAs and other handheld access devices being shipped with built-in wireless capability