Practical security issues with high‐speed networks[1]Presented at the 11th Annual Canadian Information Technology Security Symposium, 10–14 May 1999, Ottawa, Canada.

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Velissarios, John | Santarossa, Roberto

Affiliations: PricewaterhouseCoopers – Cryptographic Centre of Excellence, 1 London Bridge, London, SE1 9QL, UK Tel.: +44 171 583 5000; Fax: +44 171 804 3107 E‐mail: {Robert.Santarossa, John.Velissarios}@uk.pwcglobal.com

Abstract: As corporate networks evolve in step with the Internet, an increasing number of networks are being connected through controlled access points. The deployment of end‐to‐end high‐speed connections in corporate LANs have resulted in as yet untamed security issues directly attributable to the increased throughput (100+ Mbits/s). This paper attempts to identify some of the potential issues and communicate these to those responsible for the administration and development of IT and security infrastructures. Limitations of Intrusion Detection Systems, information leakage of encrypted channels, reduced features of hardware in order to enable faster switching, have all contributed to effectively diminish overall security. Despite the endless need for faster networks engendered by streaming video and audio, 3D worlds, voice over data and video conferencing, we must pause and ask ourselves if we are prepared to trade security for speed.

Journal: Journal of High Speed Networks, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 311-324, 1999