* Symantec releases multi-function security platform
Symantec is introducing a multi-function security platform family that includes a firewall and two forms of VPN.
Called Symantec Gateway Security (SGS) 5600 family, the appliances include anti-spam, anti-virus, Web filtering and other security functions, including both SSL and IPSec VPN support. This gives customers the flexibility to grant end users access from remote machines that are not company controlled via SSL, as well as from those on which customers can install a VPN client as is the case with IPSec.
As gateway devices, the SGS 5600s can not only terminate VPN sessions, they can also run the traffic through its battery of screening to make sure the traffic is safe to enter the network.
The company is also adding software to check that devices trying to access the network have proper security in place such as firewalls and updated anti-virus. While some vendors can do these checks and look for other vendors’ software, the Symantec boxes check only for Symantec firewall and anti-virus software. Still it is an important step to check on the integrity of the remote device to reduce the chances that infected machines connect to the network.
The three SGS 5600 appliances vary greatly in capacity from 600M bit/sec to 3G bit/sec, which just about doubles the capabilities of the company’s previous 5400 multi-function platform.
The three new devices are available now and prices vary depending on the number of users and the number of security options customers choose. The SGS 5620 costs $4,900 to $19,000; SGS 5640 costs $5,000 to $21,000; and SGS 5660 costs $11,000 to $35,000.
