PKI and User Authentication Use Grew by 36% in Six Months, New Evans Data Wireless Survey

SANTA CRUZ, CA, April 23, 2003 - Evans Data Corporation’s newest Wireless Development Survey of wireless focused developers has found that Bluetooth network security mechanisms in use are evenly divided among Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Wireless Application Protocol 2.0 (WAP) at 19%, 17% and 16% respectively.

The 802.11 network security mechanisms in use are SSL at 21% and then PKI and User authentication/Passwords were nearly tied at 16% and 15%. The greatest increase from six months ago for Bluetooth was PKI and for 802.11 it was User authentication/Passwords, both expanded their user base by 36%.

“As wireless continues to gain market momentum and Wi-fi hot spots crop up across the country it logically follows that security on these networks must become a priority. But, though there are no clear leaders yet, SSL seems to be establishing itself as the front runner for now,” said Chris Preimesberger, Evans Data’s wireless analyst. “This is because, after 8 years of development, PKI architecture has established a reputation as a trusted and reliable method of authentication.”

Other findings from the March survey of nearly 500 developers focused on the wireless development market include:

• Deployments of wireless Web services enabled applications are expected to see more action. More than 50% of survey respondents indicating that they’ll be deploying the apps within the next 12 months.
• Most wireless developers plan to support Nokia with almost 60% of survey respondents selecting the cell phone provider. Other notable brands include HP/Compaq, 54%, Palm, 48%, and Motorola, 45%.
• Intentions to use Bluetooth and 802.11 Wireless LANs are expected to continue gaining development resources. Fifty eight percent of survey respondents currently using or evaluating Bluetooth, up from 41% six months ago and 56% currently using or evaluating 802.11, up from 50% six months ago.

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.

Copyright 2007 Evans Data Corporation. All other company names, products and services mentioned in this document are the trademarks and property of their respective owners.

###