Enterprises, businesses and customers are in constant need of a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution to safeguard their desktops and businesses from various threats, such as Viruses, Worms, Spyware, AdWare, Malware, Phishing, etc.
One such company with an array of such product lines is SonicWall, which promises to provide the customers with a full range of anti-virus and anti-spyware software solutions. It enables users to safeguard their desktops from Internet threats, without replacing their current UTM appliance.
As a multi-service platform, SonicWALL’s line of firewall/VPN appliances incorporate the broadest level of protection available through Unified Threat Management. UTM combines multiple security features into a single platform, protecting against attacks, viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malicious threats. The act of incorporating deep- packet inspection and gateway protection allows SonicWALL’s UTM appliances to deliver superior performance at a reasonable price. On the one hand, it will reduce the complexities and on the other it will simplify the management, while delivering multiple layers of protection under a single management console. In conversation with VARIndia, John DiLullo, Vice-President of Worldwide Sales, SonicWALL, and Heng Loon Chee, Vice-President of JAPAC, SonicWALL, shared their viewpoints on the security market.
John said that business in India is growing 100 per cent year-on-year, and India is also the top performing country. It counts for the total 20–30 per cent of the total employees. Having offices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, the company is investing heavily because they get the best talent. Though the manufacturing facility is in Taiwan and hardware engineering in Shanghai, all the development and technical support is done here in India. To this, Chee added that SonicWALL’s layered approach to network security removes the burden and complications created by other solutions while providing a higher level of protection. Each SonicWALL network security appliance can be configured and customized with an expanding array of security services into a solution, which will integrate seamlessly into any network while providing complete protection. Every appliance is capable of integrating support for gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, enforced desktop anti-virus, content filtering, wireless security and more. SonicWALL appliances also intelligently enforce and dynamically update each of these services as new updates become available.
SonicWALL (UTM) technology has distributed defensive measures to its customers against the newly-discovered BadBunny – a worm, which targets OpenOffice Software running on several different operating systems. The company has developed unique technologies to deliver gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware and intrusion prevention signatures to its subscribers on a continual basis, allowing them to defend against phishing, viruses, DHA or DoS attacks.
John further said that SonicWALL firewall appliances increase security by reducing complexity. The cost of deploying multiple, separate devices and software – each with its own interface, management console and login – can quickly become unmanageable. Cobbled-together security platforms, even when assembled from otherwise good products, are still less secure. These sorts of platforms are inherently prone to error, simply because there are so many things to manage – and an improperly managed security platform can be worse than none at all. In addition to enhanced security, SonicWALL’s integrated platform of security products, built around the leading firewall appliances, delivers a cost advantage that will save the money over any security system. Even the most frugal manager could assemble from separate products.
Even the traditional remote and branch office access requires organizations to install complicated and expensive leased line solutions or deploy Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that introduce performance problems. John said that SonicWALL security solutions utilizes best-in-class encryption technology and deep-packet inspection to provide secure “Clean VPN,” connectivity to an array of deployments, including site-to-site, branch office and remote worker access at speeds approaching traditional LAN environments. “Clean VPN” technology continually monitors each connection to deliver instant and automatic protection against transmitted threats, ensuring that each connection is as reliable as possible.
He further added that SonicWALL TZ and PRO Series appliances are designed to reduce cost, risk and complexity by integrating automated and dynamic security capabilities for comprehensive protection and maximum performance. Both the PRO and TZ series extends security from the network core to the perimeter by integrating support for SonicWALL’s Gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware, and Intrusion Protection Service, delivering real-time protection against the latest blended threats, including viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, software vulnerabilities and other malicious code. This powerful combination protects against application-layer and content-based attacks. This heightened level of gateway protection addresses multiple threat access points and thoroughly scans all network layers. Deep-packet inspection engine delivers threat protection directly on the security gateway, by scanning against multiple application types and protocols, and matching files against an extensive signature database. This unique deep-packet inspection approach protects against both internal and external threats against the application layer as well as the network layer.
The PRO series of firewalls offers enterprise-class networking, routing, firewall, secure wireless, IPSec VPN and security services in an easy-to-manage appliance. It is built on the deep-packet inspection architecture, which offers real-time detection and protection through a suite of services, including gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, anti-spam and content filtering. These services combined provide real-time, granular protection against a multitude of network and data attacks. Additionally, the PRO series has support for IPSec VPN to support the mobile workforce, secure wireless through SonicPoint Access Points, and virtual LANs to extend the corporate network to remote sites. By combining multiple technologies into one appliance, the PRO Series reduces the deployment time, automates ongoing operation and increases the reliability of the network.
As far as the SMB is concerned, the TZ Series is the ideal total security platform for home, small and remote/branch offices, providing a compelling blend of ease-of-use for basic networks and unsurpassed flexibility for more complex networks. Integrating deep- packet inspection firewall, the TZ Series scales to protect the investment as the organization grows. Available in multiple hardware and node configurations, the TZ Series allows adding features and functionality when the network needs them.
On the geographical front, John said that the only challenge being faced by the company in India is its vast geographical spread-out and to get the message across, a lot of media is required which, at times, becomes difficult. Though the company boasts its price and performance, Chee thinks that to find good people for business, train them and retain them is the most important aspect for any successful business.
Finally…
SonicWALL appliances do not require file caching or rebooting and it can also handle unlimited file sizes and hundreds of thousands of concurrent downloads. It is capable of handling even the fa
stest growing network with its superior scalability and performance edge. Chee feels that they are doing a great job and will always dream of doing well.
