A Secure Wireless Data Access Service for the Government of Canada

Abstract

This chapter examines work conducted by Public Works and Government Services Canada, a department of the Government of Canada (GoC), to assess the potential for a Secure Wireless Data Access Service (SWDAS) that is envisaged to be provided as a common service to departments and agencies of the GoC. The main focus of the work has been on Wi-Fi, especially the IEEE 802.11b standard, and its application. Areas examined include technology, security, spectrum management, user surveys, applications, business, ?nance, service trial, future trends, and recommendations for the implementation of Wi-Fi in government. It is demonstrated that the application of Wi-Fi technology in the GoC would be bene?cial for the government workforce from both a ?nancial and a technological perspective.