Boxborough, Massachusetts-based Crossbeam is not a developer of security technology, but rather of the appliances in which multiple security functions such as firewall, AV, IDS/IPS, and content filtering are delivered.
It is also deliberately agnostic as to the providers of each type of security function. It partners with ISS, Sourcefire, Trend, and Check Point, even thought they compete with one another in certain areas of technology. Its value-add is the backplane technology that joins all the various modules together.
Siemens said partnering with Crossbeam will enable Siemens’ carrier and mobile customers to deliver on-demand security services and solutions from the network cloud to address new vulnerabilities. The deal also affords Siemens Networks service opportunities in terms of systems integration and ongoing support.
Daniel-Rui Felicio, president of the Carrier Services division at Siemens, said the partnership also provides an opportunity for Crossbeam to further penetrate the carrier market.
The deal fills the gap left last year when Crossbeam killed its OEM deal with 3Com, in the wake of the latter’s acquisition of IDS/IPS vendor TippingPoint.
Siemens Networks is itself in the process of merging with the network operations of Nokia Corp, which has its own firewall business in alliance with Check Point. However, sources at Crossbeam said the two relationships are not competitors, since Nokia’s firewall business is enterprise-focused, and has remained within Nokia Enterprise Solutions and won’t be part of Nokia Siemens Networks as and when outstanding regulatory hurdles are cleared.
