CheckPoint, Intel Eye Mobile Security

Intel Corp. and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. announced Wednesday that they are working together on developing enhanced VPN-based security systems for notebook PCs based on Intel's Centrino mobile technology.

The companies say they are aiming to provide automated, hardware-based security systems for wireless connections, especially for users who regularly use public wireless hot spots. Among the key features the companies hope to deliver is a VPN capable of launching automatically whenever the notebook associates with a wireless access point.

Security - or the lack thereof - has been a major concern for many enterprises that have considered issuing their mobile employees notebooks equipped with wireless LAN cards. Many wireless access points, particularly those in public places such as airports and downtown areas, do not require or even support secure connections. As a result, many enterprises layer a VPN on top of the WLAN connection in order to hook into the corporate network.

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