Week In Security: Intel, Check Point Partner; Cisco Boosts Security Line

• Intel and Check Point Software Technologies announced a multiyear agreement to work together to boost remote-access security for notebooks based on Intel's upcoming Centrino mobile chip technology. Check Point has developed an enhanced version of its VPN-1 SecureClient software that will provide Centrino-based systems with VPN auto-launch capability in a wireless environments and incorporate support for two-factor authentication for systems with integrated Trusted Platform Module technology.

• Cisco Systems unveiled additions to its intrusion-detection and firewall product lines. Cisco IDS Software Version 4.0 provides stateful pattern recognition in addition to protocol and traffic anomaly detection in order to more accurately detect attacks. The updated software also provides consistent software deployment across all network-based IDS platforms in order to streamline administration. The Cisco Threat Response Technology helps reduce false alarms through intelligent threat investigation techniques and automation of intrusion investigation. The Cisco IDS 4250-XL Sensor supports gigabit speeds in a flexible configuration chassis while the Catalyst 6500 IDSM-2 supports 600Mbps.

Additions to Cisco's firewall line include the PIX Firewall Software Version 6.3, which incorporates support for Open Shortest Path First routing and virtual LANs, and VPN Acceleration Card , which boosts VPN performance by up to 400 percent and adds support for the Advanced Encryption Standard.

• Tumbleweed, a supplier of secure messaging applications, announced a merger agreement with Valicert, a maker of secure data transfer and certificate validation. Under the agreement, which is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, Tumbleweed will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Valicert in a stock-for-stock transaction. The deal is expected to close in the second or third quarter.

• Sourcefire, a provider of intrusion-detection products based on the open-source Snort technology, said it closed $11 million in Series B funding. New Enterprise Associates led the deal, which also includes Series A investors Sierra Ventures, Inflection Point Ventures and Core Capital Partners.

• Big Fix, a supplier of vulnerability and automated patch management software, unveiled BigFix Development Environment (BDE), a software development tool for IT administrators to create their own security patches.

• KaVaDo, a provider of Web application security, announced a global partner program for vendor and reseller partners that provide products and services to secure Web applications. One new member of the Protected Path Alliance Program is Northrop Grumman Information Technology of North America.

• TruSecure, a security services provider, said it acquired Vigilinx, a Parsippany, N.J.-based security services firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. TruSecure said the acquisition boosts its portfolio of security services, which include security intelligence, security assurance, managed security and consulting.

• Entercept Security Technologies, a supplier of intrusion prevention software, appointed Dennis Eilks as senior vice president of worldwide sales and Derrick Mar as vice president of engineering. Eilks formerly was NetScreen's vice president of enterprise sales at NetScreen and Network Associates' vice president of North American sales.

• St. Bernard Software released iPrism v3.3, an Internet filtering appliance. New features include auto-login, easier installation and additional reporting capabilities. The appliance coasts $2,195. One-year or three-year subscription plans include daily database updates, technical support and hardware maintenance. Subscription pricing is based on the number of users.

• Port80 Software and Federal Systems Group, a solution provider in Whippany, N.J., announced an agreement under which Federal Systems Group will distribute Port80's security software for Microsoft's Internet Information Server to its clients. The software includes ServerMask, software that hides the identity of a Windows Web server from attackers.

• Array Networks unveiled a new version of its Array SP integrated security platform. Array SP includes a suite of security applications such as SSL VPN, identity management, application-layer firewall, Port 80 security and Web traffic management. Enhancements in Array SP Version 6 include legacy application support, advanced traffic management features such as secure load balancing, accelerated encryption and integrated compression. The product will be available in March for a starting price of $49,995. The Array SP-C (Compact) for small and midsize businesses also will be available for next month, starting at $14,995.

• Consul and Janus Risk Management, a security consulting firm in Marlborough, Mass., announced a partnership to combine Consul's security audit and management software with Janus' enterprise security methodologies.