ELI simplifies small office security

An enterprising start-up has hatched a plan to make wireless LAN security both simple and strong for small-business users, teleworkers and consumers.

The plan, from Electronic Lifestyle Integrator (ELI), marries an appliance that has an integrated set of network functions with a hosted security update service.

Users select one of several classes of security, then the appliance downloads the settings and configures itself to support that choice. ELI's servers automatically update the appliance's built-in anti-virus, content-filtering and anti-spam applications several times a day.

The Mount Laurel, N.J., vendor was co-founded by CEO Susan Lutz and CTO Robert Smith, who have sustained the fledgling company without any venture backing. Lutz co-founded SecureIT, which focused on IT security solutions and was acquired by VeriSign, for which Lutz worked for five years. She also serves as CEO for Etsec, a company that focuses on enterprise security services and strategy. Smith remains CEO and CTO of Secure Networking Company, a managed security services firm in Europe. He also worked for VeriSign as a product manager.

The initial model of the device, called Eli, has a DSL modem. The company says it will soon ship a cable modem version, and is designing a model that will have a PCMCIA slot that can accept a cellular adapter card to connect with wireless data services. Each also has a four-port Ethernet switch, an 802.11b/g WLAN access point and USB port.

VoIP support is also built in. Users can plug in a VoIP phone and use the VoIP provider of their choice.

The embedded stateful packet inspection firewall was developed by ELI.

Three other third-party security applications are included: Blue Coat System's Web filtering software to control access to Web sites; Mail-Filter's anti-spam software; and a German anti-virus application, AntiVir, from H+BEDV Datentechnik.

"Every line of code [in the appliance] is remotely managed and updated by us," Lutz says. The application vendors were chosen in part because they frequently update their software. ELI's hosted service pushes these updates down to the appliances as they come in, as many as 30 times per day.

Users plug the appliance into an outlet, attach a DSL modem cable, log on to ELI's Web site , enter user name and password then select one of five levels of security. This configuration downloads to the appliance, where it automatically installs. For small-business users or enterprise teleworkers, ELI will create custom security policies to meet specific business requirements.

The hosted update services starts at about $10 per month for five users. The appliance is priced starting at $199.

Lutz says many people now are willing to pay a monthly fee for Internet security. She says that Verizon just announced a $7.95-per-month security service for up to three users. ELI also plans to market the appliance and service to ISPs.