Network Associates, Check Point Simplify Small-Business Security

To that end, Network Associates and Check Point Software Technologies have teamed up to deliver McAfee Secure-1, an Internet gateway and desktop security solution that allows small businesses to outsource their virus-protection and security-management needs.

McAfee Secure-1 couples the automated virus-update capability of Network Associates' McAfee VirusScan ASaP with Check Point's Safe Office security appliance, delivering out-of-the-box functionality that requires minimal IT savvy, said Donna Troy, executive vice president of worldwide channel sales at Network Associates, Santa Clara, Calif.

Available exclusively through Network Associates' channel, McAfee Secure-1 delivers managed firewall and virus protection, as well as VPN and content filtering. Once installed, the appliance automatically updates firewall and virus definitions without user intervention. Small businesses that deploy Secure-1 can hit the product's Web-based interface on-site or remotely to check security levels, virus protection and infection trends.

Dawn Marie Martin, senior category manager at Ingram Micro, Santa Ana, Calif., said there's a big market opportunity for small-business security products. "The security appliance market is taking off. We're seeing a number of our manufacturers introduce these products, and adoption has picked up speed quickly among the VARs and their customers, especially in SMB," Martin said. "SMB is a great sales bed for the security appliance market."

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Small-business customers will recognize Secure-1's value as a solution that doesn't require manual authorization when updating virus definitions, said Tim Carney, founder and CEO of Network Guys, a Check Point solution provider in Fremont, Calif.

"Lots of systems do live virus updates. But even if we're told that a virus update has arrived and is ready to install, there's still that button that says, 'Remind me later,' " Carney said. "So I think users will like [Secure-1]."

SCOTT CAMPBELL contributed to this story.