Security specialists WatchGuard Technologies Inc – formerly Seattle Software Labs Inc – has licensed Guildford, UK-based Wick Hill Ltd to sell its flagship WatchGuard firewall across Europe. WatchGuard says it is one of the few firewall developers currently offering a standalone product with both hardware and software components. The firewall software resides on the hardware, or Firebox, a Pentium class processor which plugs into the local area network router. Security management system software, running on either Windows NT, Windows 95 or Linux, then configures and monitors the firewall, logging and notifying users in the event to a number of any predetermined scenarios. WatchGuard claims the added hardware integration and lack of log- on facilities make it harder for hackers to break into the network as well as saving time on configuring the software with Ethernet cards. The firewall also has four optional modules; web blocker enables network managers to regulate web access and deny user access to certain sites while the historical reporting module helps managers analyze network usage through a range of configurable reports. The global console lets users manage multiple firewalls from a single location while the graphical monitor add-on displays information on active connections and bandwidth usage across the network. Limit potential damage The Seattle-based firm has recently received $6m in venture funding and says it is now planning a flotation on Nasdaq next year. It will be unveiling a 100Mb box on September 22nd which it says will enable faster operations than the current 10Mb version, but stresses that it is an addition rather than a replacement. The Seattle, Washington-based company admits rivals Check Point Software Inc is far and away the market leader with an estimated 40% of the firewall business but Samantha Agee, international sales executive for Watchguard, adds optimistically that the second spot is still wide open. The firm says the Firewall is aimed at firms of all sizes and can be implemented at company, branch and department for added security; to segment off departments and limit potential damage in the event of a break- in. WatchGuard is available now from Wick Hill priced at 3,500 pounds; the global console module costs 2,500 pounds, WebBlocker costs 950 pounds, graphical monitor; 600 pounds and Historical reporting 500 pounds. Further modules are set for release in October.
