Protecting wireless networks against security breaches and other vulnerabilities is a top priority for many businesses. In response, AirTight Networks Inc. introduced a service Wednesday to help businesses identify threats against their Wi-Fi networks, such as rogue access points and clients, ad hoc networks, and denial-of-service attacks.

"CIOs are becoming more aware about security and accessing corporate systems through wireless networks," Yankee Group analyst Roberta Wiggins says. But whether they have Wi-Fi networks or not, businesses could be harboring rogue access points or unauthorized client connections to neighboring networks without realizing it, says David King, AirTight''s CEO and chairman.

To increase awareness among businesses about what''s happening inside their networks, AirTight launched its free trial Wireless Threat Vulnerability Analysis service. As part of the service, AirTight systems engineers will perform an assessment of a company''s networks and will remove any existing rogue access points or unauthorized client connections through AirTight''s firewall and performance-management software, SpectraGuard Enterprise 3.0, which AirTight is selling for $7,500.

Additionally, AirTight will simulate Wi-Fi attacks, such as man-in-the-middle, Evil Twin, and denial of service, to analyze network response. The vendor also will provide recommendations for strengthening network security against Wi-Fi vulnerabilities.

AirTight is trying to raise awareness about the importance of site planning, which can help prevent hacking into corporate wireless networks and the potential loss of confidential data. King says: "We believe that if you''ve had a rogue access point, or are afraid you have them and don''t know about them, you''ll want to know where they are in your building."