RSA Puts Spotlight On Security

Symantec, Cupertino, Calif., will unveil an integrated security appliance that protects networks at the Internet gateway with combined firewall, gateway-level antivirus, intrusion-detection, content-filtering and VPN capabilities.

"It really addresses that blended threat," said Chris Ellerman, director of the security practice at N2N Solutions, Schaumburg, Ill., noting that viruses can use multiple ways to infect systems, including e-mail, the Web and software vulnerabilities.

The device targets the SMB market and enterprise branch offices, said Howard Lev, group product manager at the company. Symantec Gateway Security, slated for availability in March, comes in three models for various performance needs. Prices start at $12,000.

The product boosts Symantec's line with an optional high-availability and load-balancing feature that allows clustering of appliances to handle high throughput, said Ellerman, who tested the device.

Also on the appliance front, True North Solutions, McLean, Va., is teaming with Atlanta-based Stonesoft to launch TrueGate, a firewall appliance with high-availability and VPN capabilities for enterprise remote or branch offices.

True North CEO Bobby Christian said the company used its experience as a VAR to develop the appliance to meet client needs and streamline licensing and support for the product. Scheduled to be available March 1, two versions of TrueGate will be sold through Stonesoft's channel partners. Initial pricing is $995 and $1,495.

Another solution provider venturing into the product side of security at RSA is Foundstone, Mission Viejo, Calif. The firm is releasing the technology that drives its managed vulnerability assessment service as a product, called FoundScan Vulnerability Management Software, said Stuart McClure, Foundstone CTO.

"We have all this knowledge as consultants. We feel putting that knowledge in a product that can be automated is the best channel for that knowledge," he said.

Other new products at the show will include a mobile authentication system from Secure Computing, San Jose, and a server-based encryption software from McAfee, Santa Clara, Calif.

Sponsored by Bedford, Mass.-based RSA Security, the conference is expected to draw a crowd of 10,000. Show topics will include cyber terrorism, secure e-commerce and managing online identities.