* WatchGuard upgrades its small office security box
WatchGuard is upgrading its small office security box that includes a VPN gateway and firewall.
Firebox X Edge software upgrades make it possible to configure guest privileges for visitors that allow them to connect to the Internet wirelessly, but be kept out of other network resources, including VPN connections to other sites.
While not necessary for the box to operate as a security gateway, the new feature makes it possible to be a better host to visitors without risking unauthorized incursions into sensitive data or exposing the network to malicious activity.
The new software also adds support for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). This addition makes it possible to control which users access which resources based on centralized profiles rather than requiring individual entries for each user to be entered on the box itself. Administrators relieved of this duty will appreciate the value of centralized access control.
The new software also divides its library of Web sites that customers might want to block into 40 categories, making it possible to limit access as little as possible while still keeping employees from reaching sites deemed inappropriate at work.
Firebox X gear comes in two hardware models: one for wired and the other for wireless local access, and each of them has three licensing options that allow more or fewer simultaneous users and more or fewer site-to-site VPN tunnels.
While not earth-shattering, these upgrades represent a few more items on the check list when comparing Firebox X to other gear.
