New software enables centralized management of appliances and security services that defend against spyware, spam, viruses and other intrusions
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD), a leading provider of network security solutions, today introduced new features to its Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances that significantly enhance its position as a leader in the UTM market. WatchGuard’s Firebox X Core and Firebox X Peak appliances that provide “Zero-Day” protection through its proprietary architecture known as Intelligent Layered Security (ILS) offer the broadest range of threat solutions available on a UTM appliance, defending against spyware, spam, viruses, malicious sites and other intrusions.
Additionally, WatchGuard introduced a new version of its management software that enables large deployments of Firebox X Edge security appliances to be centrally managed. With a unified console to monitor and manage all supported devices, policies, VPNs, and security services, WatchGuard makes it easy for its customers to tailor configurations to meet their specific business requirements.
Advanced Security Services
With the scope of attacks continuously expanding, it is critical for network security vendors to offer a broad set of real-time defenses that provide the levels of protection needed to meet today’s evolving threats. In addition to “Zero Day” protection that stops many malicious attacks without signatures, WatchGuard provides the latest security services integrated on Fireware Pro, WatchGuard’s advanced security and network operating system. These security services include:
spamBlocker – spamBlocker is based on innovative technology that analyzes Internet message patterns, not the message data, resulting in real-time spam detection in a fraction of a second before spam even enters the network. This is done in partnership with Commtouch (Nasdaq: CTCH), which developed Recurrent Pattern Detection (RPD) technology predicated on the fact that the fundamental characteristic of spam is mass distribution. Rather than evaluating message content, the RPD technology analyzes large volumes of Internet traffic in real-time to identify outbreaks as soon as they emerge. The RPD approach results in the best service in the industry at distinguishing legitimate communication from new spam outbreaks, blocking more than 97% of unwanted emails, with very low false positives. Since many phishing attacks, online scams, viruses and spyware are initiated through spam, the spamBlocker solution is the first line of defense against those threats. With processing done off the appliance, there is minimal impact on network performance. WatchGuard’s Firebox X Core and Peak are the only UTM appliances to offer this real-time anti-spam prevention.
Gateway Anti-Virus/Intrusion Prevention with Spyware Protection (Gateway AV/IPS) – Gateway AV/IPS is a signature-based integrated security service that identifies and blocks suspicious network activity and malicious code in real-time. Dangerous traffic presenting itself as harmless, but attempting to exploit system vulnerabilities, is stopped before it can damage information assets. Gateway AV/IPS provides an additional layer of protection against threats such as spyware, Trojans, buffer overflows, SQL injections, IM and peer-to-peer usage, and policy violations.
Spyware is nefarious and WatchGuard provides protection through a variety of cooperative procedures. First, the IPS engine features Signature-based Content Inspection, which applies continuously updated attack signatures to identify and block incoming spyware downloads, including covert drive-by downloads. WatchGuard does not stop at offering only signature-based protection, but provides additional capabilities to combat spyware. The IPS engine identifies and blocks the initial configuration communication required by spyware applications to retrieve configuration data from the central server. Should an infected PC enter a secure network, the IPS engine will attempt to prevent spyware applications from using the network connection for additional spyware activities, such as transmitting keylogs or passwords. WatchGuard’s WebBlocker service also conducts Site Blocking, which blocks all traffic to and from known spyware sites – and new sites as they are discovered.
Combining these procedures, which inspect both incoming and outgoing traffic, with powerful anti-spam and URL filtering services, WatchGuard provides comprehensive spyware protection.
WebBlocker – WebBlocker helps organizations save thousands of dollars in lost productivity, reduced bandwidth usage, exposure to Internet scams, exposure to malicious code and legal liability by managing employee Internet access. The WebBlocker service employs a daily, incrementally updated database of more than 12 million URLs and prevents users from accessing liable, malicious and inappropriate web sites - including more than 8,000 sites known to distribute spyware. WatchGuard now allows for more fine-grained control of Internet usage by including up to 40 different website categories that can be restricted on a per user or per group basis.
WatchGuard System Manager (WSM)
In addition to enhanced security services, WatchGuard is introducing a new version of its management software used to configure and manage its Firebox X family of security appliances. WSM now enables centralized management of large multi-appliance and multi-customer deployments including multi-box policy and firmware management for Firebox X Edge appliances. With a unified management console, administrators can update groups of Firebox X Edge appliances, view all appliances at a glance, and launch monitoring and configuration tools for pinpoint control of any device or service. WatchGuard’s interactive real-time monitoring provides simple, graphical and textual depictions of security activity allowing the administrator to take corrective or pre-emptive actions instantly.
WSM also eases the configuration process of WatchGuard’s advanced security services - Gateway AV/IPS, spamBlocker, and WebBlocker - for rapid, reliable set-up of these important services. VPN deployments are simplified through a Drag-and-drop VPN capability that works across multiple platforms and versions of WatchGuard appliance software. Additionally, WSM’s centralized logging and reporting enables detailed analysis of appliances to easily gather insight into security, network and user activities.
Better Management, Better Services, Better Security
With these new enhancements and features, WatchGuard offers an all-in-one solution that provides more security with less effort. The range of security issues faced by today’s connected networks makes it imperative for organizations to work with flexible solutions that can be easily upgraded to meet emerging threats. WatchGuard’s UTM appliances offer strong security that can be augmented quickly with advanced security services as user circumstances dictate.
“Combined with the Zero-Day protection of ILS, this expansion of WatchGuard’s capabilities provides our customers with industry-leading protection,” said John Stuckey, WatchGuard vice president of marketing. “And improved management allows for this protection to be applied to larger installations.”
Availability
These exciting new products and capabilities are expected to be available in November 2005. Existing WatchGuard customers running Fireware Pro with a current LiveSecurity Service subscription will be able to upgrade to WSM 8.2 free of charge. WatchGuard’s Security Services are available for Firebox X Peak and Firebox X Core models running Fireware Pro. WebBlocker and Gateway AV/IPS customers with a current LiveSecurity Service subscription will be able to upgrade free of charge. spamBlocker will be available on Firebox X Core and Firebox X Peak models running Fireware Pro, and MSRP varies by Firebox model.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard provides network security. The company’s Firebox X family of upgradeable appliances delivers the performance, functionality and security strength to meet the needs of organizations of any size. WatchGuard’s Intelligent Layered Security protects against emerging threats and provides the platform to integrate additional services offered by the company. All WatchGuard products include a LiveSecurity Service subscription for vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction, as well as individualized and self-help customer care. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com.
Certain statements in this press release, including statements about expected new products, services, features or functionality, and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk that expected new products, services, features or functionality are not available when expected or at all, and the other risks described under "Important Factors That May Affect Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, and in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.
WatchGuard, LiveSecurity, Firebox, Core, Peak and Fireware are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Paul Barrett LEWIS PR for WatchGuard Eunice Choy LEWIS PR for WatchGuard
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