Concerns over security and poor performance are preventing many firms from adopting a wireless network, despite the clear benefits that it can offer, new research has revealed.

A survey from wireless networking firm AirMagnet indicated that employee mobility (43 per cent), convenience (23 per cent) and increased productivity (12 per cent) are the biggest factors driving the adoption of wireless networks in UK businesses.

However, 43 per cent of those who are yet to make the switch admitted that they were concerned about the network's security, while 29 per cent said they believe wLANs (wireless local area networks) to be slower and less reliable than Ethernet wired networks.

Ian Schenkel, managing director of AirMagnet, noted: "The research demonstrates that although many companies have already moved to a combination of wired and wireless networks in the office to increase employee productivity, incorrect preconceptions are continuing to hold many more back.

"This means that most are still missing out on the increased productivity, mobility and convenience delivered by wireless networks."

Of those that have adopted wLANs, almost two thirds said they intend to invest further into wireless networks in the future.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent).