Axent takes another whack at Web access control
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ROCKVILLE, MD. - Axent Technologies last week unveiled software for controlling Web access that observers say is a big improvement over the company's first offering in this market.
Axent's new Webthority software lets companies control access to corporate Web servers for trading partners as well as internal employees.
Webthority, which runs on Windows NT and Solaris servers, acts as a proxy server that requires individuals to authenticate their identity using a simple password or stronger two-factor identification methods such as Axent's Defender software token, SecurID dynamic password hardware or public-key certificates from a variety of vendors. Only after completing the required authentication will Webthority permit users to access specified Web resources inside corporate networks.
Axent's Web Defender represented the company's first stab at the Web access control market. But Axent acknowledges the software - acquired from Open Market a few years back - didn't perform well. It supported only Unix and required a separate component called the SecureLink Bridge. Axent made no progress at unseating market leader Netegrity.
In Webthority, Axent has redesigned its Web access control offering, basing it on Java rather than C to ensure it can be ported across server platforms and be upgraded more easily, says Dave Sarjantson, an Axent marketing manager.
Webthority, which officially ships this week at a cost of $25,000, is getting good reviews from some corporations that have been deploying it.
National Gypsum, a manufacturer of gypsum wallboard sheet rock in Charlotte, N.C., is using Webthority to set up a corporate extranet through which distributors can gain 'Net access to information such as shipping status of orders.
"They can see pricing information and retrieve invoices," says Mike Brannon, senior manager of Internet technology at National Gypsum.
The manufacturer is registering distributors online for use of the extranet. Once registered, distributors are e-mailed a URL link to download Axent's Defender token software to the desktop PCs of authorized business managers. The software token, in addition to simple passwords, provides authentication on Webthority so that these distributors only get access to certain Web-based services.
"There was a lot of concern among the distributors when we first got started with this that their competitors might see information about them through the extranet," Brannon says. But Webthority prevents that, he adds.
Gartner Group security analyst John Pescatore says Axent is more than a year behind others to market with a Web access control product that will take on products from the more dominant players, Netegrity and Securant. "But they have a good shot with Webthority, which is comparable with competing products," Pescatore says.
Axent should be able to successfully market Webthority to its customer base, which uses Axent authentication, intrusion-detection and firewall products, Pescatore says. This customer base will only widen as antivirus vendor Symantec completes its acquisition of Axent by year-end.
Axent: www.axent.com
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