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N+I Security Products Roundup

One of the biggest security-related trade shows got rolling Monday as Networld + Interop opened in Las Vegas.

Amid the reams of networking-related product and partnership announcements, security vendors brought out numerous offerings. Much of the focus of new security products this year centers on locking down wireless LANs and protecting the network from the weak link of remote or roaming users’ systems.

Wireless networking security vendor Funk Software demonstrated partner momentum behind its protocol running on top of 802.1x for security over wireless links. The protocol, EAP-TTLS, is currently an IETF draft RFC and it is supported by WLAN equipment vendors Avaya Inc., Enterasys, Intermec Technologies Corp. and Proxim Corp.

EAP-TTLS provides authentication over wireless and can be deployed against existing enterprise authentication databases, including Windows and token systems. Funk rolled out its Odyssey brand 802.1x client and RADIUS server last week.

Another company unveiling a secure authentication method for wireless LANs at N+I is Secure Computing Corp. Its SafeWord PremierAccess 3.1 adds support for authenticating access to wireless networks and providing secure, one-time passwords as text messages to wireless devices.

Symbol Technologies introduced a suite of mobile network protection products under the MobiusGuard brand, including Kerberos and EAP/TLS authentication, proprietary encryption, Virtual Private Network tunneling and support for Virtual Local Area Networks.

Addressing the issue of securing organizations from vulnerabilities at remote access points, such as home offices, were products from InfoExpress and ZyXEL.

InfoExpress has what it calls a “plug-and-play” policy enforcer – the CyberGatekeeper Server appliance. The appliance enforces system and application configurations of remote desktops and laptops. The server appliance audits the systems when users attempt to log in via VPN, extranet, dialup, wireless LAN or wired LANs. The system consists of the appliance, agents on the remote or mobile machines and a policy manager.

ZyXEL previewed a combination ADSL modem/router with built-in firewall and VPN capabilities called the Prestige 652. It is designed for use in home or remote offices connecting to corporate networks, and it will be available in mid-May.

Aside from wireless and remote security products, several more traditional network security products met the world at N+I, as well:

  • Okena Inc. launched StormWatch 3.0, its intrusion prevention solution for consolidating security products covering Windows and Unix systems. According to Okena, better scalability in the new version allows up to 5,000 intelligent agents to be monitored from one management console. The solution now includes “out-of-the-box” protection for 23 applications, in addition to extensible support through scripting. New security policies include Microsoft Exchange, SendMail and Apache Web servers.
  • Fortinet Inc. is shipping its FortiGate Secure Content Processing Gateways, which provide network-based, application level services, including virus protection and content filtering, through a combination of hardware and software. The gateways come in six varieties ranging from carrier and enterprise versions down to branch-office versions.
  • OpenService Inc. refreshed its NerveCenter and SystemWatch security event management software. Combined, the products consolidate security events generated by firewalls, intrusion detection systems, anti-virus and networking devices into one console. SystemWatch is used to simplify and automate management of security applications and appliances, while NerveCenter pinpoints problems and automatically launches corrective actions. Veritas has an equity stake in OpenService.
  • Visualware Inc. released the second version of VisualLookout for monitoring open ports on up to 100 systems for suspicious activity. New to the 2.0 release is the capability to locate the country of origin for connections and display them on a world map.

    • About the Author

    Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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