Week In Security: SonicWall VPN Client, Network Associates' SEC Inquiry

• SonicWall, Sunnyvale, Calif., announced its VPN Client 8.9 software for secure remote access to the corporate network. The product allows for the creation of VPN tunnels with any of SonicWall's security appliances and includes support for Windows XP and the 802.11b wireless protocol.

• Network Associates said the Securities and Exchange Commission launched a formal investigation of the company's accounting practices in 2000, before the arrival of current management. The company said it reviewed its accounting with its outside auditors and believes it was proper. After delaying a proposed buyout of McAfee.com because of the investigation, Network Associates on Friday pushed ahead with its $210 million offer. A board committee for McAfee.com, which is 75 percent owned by Network Associates, has rejected the offer as financially inadequate.

• TruSecure and its independent ICSA Labs division launched a new security certification, TruSecure ICSA Certified Security Associate (TICSA). The certification is intended for IT practitioners that want to improve their security expertise. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC) 2 endorses TICSA as complementary to its CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credential, Herndon, Va.-based TruSecure said.

• Qualys, a provider of managed vulnerability assessment in Redwood Shores, Calif., said it achieved OPSEC certification from Check Point Software Technologies.

• Ernst and Young said it designed a network of seven advanced security centers for modeling, design, integration and testing of security and technology infrastructure solutions. A dedicated staff will manage the centers, which will be accessible to Ernst and Young' security professionals worldwide via VPNs.