Naming Implications for ADS Study Group Bill Carney (Texas Instruments)

SECURITY is a STRONG Word There is a binary implication regarding the word “security” w/r/t 802.11 Either the network is secure or it isn’t Market impact from WEP crack resulted in deferred product adoption, principally within enterprise class applications Industry participants treated this as a crisis, rolling out an interim security fix via WPA 802.11i ratification heralded industry migration to new level of robust security Concerns about Wi-Fi security mechanisms no longer command media and market attention Problem has been solved Bill Carney (Texas Instruments)

ADS – A Problematic Name Media pay close attention to IEEE work, often looking to play up controversy and contention As presently labeled, “Advanced Security Study Group” could mistakenly imply that there are flaws and/or problems with the robust security just adopted with 11i Especially likely for those who do not follow IEEE work closely Coupled with the word “Advanced”, “Security” has an even more dangerous connotation, implying that there is a more secure mechanism in the offing, one that fixes problems with existing technology Could again forestall adoption of today’s secure products, if mischaracterized or reported as such in the press Bill Carney (Texas Instruments)

A New Name is Recommended Think about the market implications for how outsiders will understand what this group is undertaking Try to tie the SG Name to the specific scope of work (i.e., “management frame protection”) Avoid using the word “Security” in describing the core attributes of the proposed amendment Encourage a new name to emerge from this meeting to reduce the possibility of any confusion Bill Carney (Texas Instruments)

Motion “Move to rename the ADS Study Group to Protected Management Frame (PMF) Study Group.” Bill Carney (Texas Instruments)