* Check Point makes move into SSL remote access space
Check Point has made a serious move into Secure Sockets Layer remote access with the announcement of its SSL appliance Connectra.
One of the top IPSec-VPN/firewall vendors, the company is in the midst of a year-long rollout of new products to expand the protection it offers customer networks. Connectra boosts Check Point’s SSL capabilities beyond the cursory support its other products offered before.
The SSL gear falls into the company’s Web security category and performs the typical SSL functions of linking Internet-connected machines equipped with nothing more than common Web browsers to servers in corporate networks.
The company is putting the new device in the framework of Web security rather than remote access, and supports this spin with two additional capabilities. First, Connectra can perform a check of the client machine that is connecting to the network via software Check Point acquired when it bought Zone Labs. This makes sure the remote computer has a firewall, anti-virus updates, patches and so forth in place or it denies access.
The device also scans incoming traffic for malicious code. It grabs suspicious code and runs it in a quarantined server simulator to see what affect it would have on an actual server. If it proves dangerous, it is dropped.
Other SSL vendors have one or both of these add-ons to the basic remote connectivity of SSL remote access, but given that Check Point is coming in late to the SSL remote access appliance game, this seems to be a better-than-first-round entry into the field.
Given the company’s reputation in security, the device is worth a look and current Check Point customers looking to expand their remote access options will want to check it out as well.
CORRECTION: In Tuesday’s e-mail newsletter, the name of NetScaler and its NetScaler 9400 were omitted from the list of products that have won ICSA certification for SSL remote access equipment.
