Remember when the term "hacker" only referred to a poor golfer?  Now hackers are adding new complications to traveling businessmen and other field employees who must rely on internet communications.  Today's Wall Street Journal reminded us again of how vulnerable our critical business information may be when our employees take advantage of free Wi-Fi spots at airports, hotels, restaurants, etc...

Consider that there has been a 56% increase in the number of hot spots now available as compared to last year--now almost 67,000 locations!  And each one is vulnerable to attack by hackers because very few of these sites are designed to protect the user and their data.

Savvy managers and leaders must understand this threat and make sure an organizational policy exists for its field team.  What type of connections in the field should be allowed?  What forms of data can be communicated?  Have the field wireless devices been equipped with the correct security before they are allowed into your own network?  How often does your IT security folks update or change field security protocols?

For more ideas and information on Wi-Fi security, check out these web sites:

• Wi-Fi Alliance (www.wi-fi.org), a non profit industry group,
• OnGuardOnline (www.OnGuardOnline.gov), a site provided by the federal government,
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov), a partnership of the FBI and the national White Collar Crime Center, and
• National Cyber Security Alliance (www.staysafeonline.org), another non profit group.