* Check Point releases Connectra 2.0 to support SSL remote access
Check Point has upgraded software for its Connectra Web security appliance so the equipment supports SSL remote access.
Connectra 2.0 adds host-checking software that makes sure remote machines attempting to set up secure remote connections to corporate networks first meet security policies. If not they can be denied access, granted limited access or be referred to a site where they can download the software they need to come into compliance.
New host checking capabilities look for updated anti-virus software and Check Point Integrity personal firewall. The host check can look for anti-virus software from Computer Associates, McAfee, Sophos, Norton and Trend Micro. Host checking already looked for spyware. The anti-virus and anti-spyware software can be updated automatically via Check Point’s Smart Defense, which enables Check Point gateways to ping for new malicious signatures and download them.
Connectra 2.0 encrypts data that is gathered during SSL sessions and stored on the hard drive of the remote machine. It can also restrict use of certain browser features to prevent files accessed during sessions from being cached by the browser.
Until now, Connectra was sold as a hardware-software combination, but with Connectra 2.0, Check Point is selling the software separately if that is how customers want to buy it. Customers would supply an Intel-based server and Connectra 2.0 comes with an operating system as well as the security application gateway software.
Just the software ranges in price from $8,000 for 50 users to $60,000 for 1,000 users. Buying Connectra appliances costs from $10,000 for a 50-user gateway to $90,000 for an unlimited-user machine. Connectra 2.0 is available now.
