ICI takes the plunge with WLAN

ICI has rolled out a wireless local area network (WLAN) to make accessing its corporate network both easy and secure.

The global paint and chemical manufacturer has been putting the WLAN in place with wireless networking specialists Aruba Networks since the end of last year, and the network has been running on several sites since the beginning of 2007.

ICI has more than 400 sites globally and employees will soon be able to access the corporate network at many of these sites.

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Paul Simmonds, global information security director at ICI, said around 20 sites have started to use the service so far.

He added that those sites that will eventually have the WLAN will be primary positions along with some other locations if they have a reason for it. He said: "I don't think we'd ever do all 400 [sites], but probably the majority."

He explained that the WLAN is centrally managed from a data centre in the UK where the Aruba master switch is located.

The network uses Aruba 6000 mobility controllers and remote access points for people to securely connect to the corporate network.

Simmonds said the system is easy to use and standardised. He said: "It's very quick and simple. Just lift your lid and go."

He added that ICI held off implementing a WLAN due to concerns that it wouldn't be sufficiently transparent to the user or automatically secure.

But the company has found that Aruba's technology deals with this concern. Simmonds said: "It's provided a very user-friendly experience for our users, coupled with a secure solution. So we've got the best of both worlds."

One of the big benefits is that visiting users - such as consultants or temporary contractors - can access the network securely without the need for a second network so there has been a significant amount of cost avoidance.

Simmonds said: "We wanted the effect on the user to be no different than being wired. Wireless is a really easy way to provide an overlay."

Simmonds concluded that despite the initial scepticism, many employees now consider the Aruba network an "indispensable tool".