Strike Up The Band For Net Security

Broadband Internet security is the focus of a just-forged alliance between Ramp Networks Inc. and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Under the agreement, Check Point, Redwood City, Calif., will integrate its VPN-1/Firewall-1 security software into Ramp Networks' broadband access routers, including its 700s Ethernet-to-Ethernet, 500i and 510i SDSL and 600i ADSL.

Safe and secure: Partnership enables secure Internet access. New products expected to ship in third quarter.

"The industry is putting more emphasis on broadband and DSL, but along with that emphasis should be the security measures, especially for the small to medium business," said John Humphreys, vice president of the Access Products Unit at Ramp Networks.

In addition to the small- and midsize-business space, the secure products offered by Ramp Networks and Check Point target the enterprise remote-office and service provider markets, all of which have broadband access security requirements, Humphreys said.

The Yankee Group, Boston, estimates the computer and network security market will swell to $10.8-billion in 2003. This, added to the heightened interest in security due in part to the recent attacks on major Web sites earlier this year, has made the combination of security products and networking equipment a strong value proposition, Humphreys said.

James Kernan, regional vice president of sales for network integrator Technology Integration Group, San Diego, believes the partnership makes sense.

"I think both companies are going in the right direction, blending their products to offer secure broadband services. The more secure we can get in data transfer and communications, the better.

"The most exciting thing, to me, is seeing two strong channel companies forming an alliance and marketing through the channel, especially when you see so many companies going direct and abandoning the channel," he said.

Ramp Networks products containing the Check Point software will be available in the third quarter, Humphreys said. Pricing has not yet been determined.+CRN

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