3Com Lays Plans For Security Play

Under an initiative dubbed Pervasive Network Security, 3Com plans to overlay security elements, such as VPN, firewall, and intrusion detection and prevention technology across its networking portfolio.

"Security must permeate the entire network, not just at key points - which tends to leave much of the network and its various points of connection unguarded and untouched," said Anik Bose, vice president of corporate business development and strategy at 3Com, Marlborough, Mass., in a statement.

The vendor's security strategy also includes the development of purpose-built appliances, such as its OfficeConnect VPN Firewall and Secure Router products introduced in October for small and home offices.

3Com plans to develop the security technology in-house and through partnerships with security vendors.

The vendor Monday also launched a new product, the Security Switch 6200. The new switch is the first offering born out of 3Com's two-year OEM partnership with Crossbeam, Concord, Mass., an agreement the companies unveiled last month.

Crossbeam's switches integrate third-party security software with switching and load-balancing features.

Aimed at medium and large enterprises, the Security Switch 6200 supports firewall, VPN, intrusion detection, anti-virus and content filtering applications from vendors such as Check Point and Internet Security Systems.

Pricing for the new switch, available now, starts at $25,000, excluding third-party software licenses.