[ excerpts ][snip]
> April 20, 2006
> COUNTY TO REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO SECURE WIRELESS NETWORKS
> Law signed by Spano is first of its kind in the U.S.
> A groundbreaking proposal requiring local businesses to secure their
> wireless networks to protect their customers against identity theft
> and other computer fraud has just become law.
> County Executive Andy Spano signed a bill into law today that mandates
> commercial businesses that offer public Internet access and/or
> maintain personal information on a wireless network to take "minimum
> security measures." [1]
This smells like a lobbyist-written law: the obvious beneficiaries of reduced wireless access are the cellular, DSL, and Cable companies, all of whom stand to lose money if wireless access points aren't "protected".
I bet the FCC will strike it down: IANALB, not only is it an obvious usurpation of federal proragatives, but the feds can smell a cut-rate competitor a mile away, and county governments can be had for a pittance compared to the license fees the feds extort from users.
William Warren
(Filter noise from my address for direct replies)