Sun Microsystems, Westcon AME, and Check Point software technologies have announced a three-way partnership to provide an all in one low cost security appliance to the mid-market.
The iForce VPN/Firewall appliance powered by Sun and Check Point was announced in Johannesburg yesterday. "The move is the first in a serious of Sun initiatives that are part of an international strategy to reposition Sun in the market," says Jos Nickmans, Sun channel and alliance manager.
The iForce VPN/Firewall bundled solution combines hardware from the range of Sun V60x and V65x appliance systems, Check Point secure platform operating system VPN-1 NG version with application intelligence (NGAI), and Westcon finance and support options. Initially, the appliance will be available in five configurations starting at around R22 000.
Niall Moynihan, Check Point northern European Technical Director, explains that being part of the new bundled security solution has meant changing Check Point's licensing model, which protected all machines with an IP address. "That licensing model was unpopular in several markets, including South Africa."
"Check Point has developed a new licensing model based only on the number of IP addresses that traverse the gateway," says Moynihan. "The new Check Point Express licensing option is aimed at satisfying all parties involved."
Moynihan says one of the biggest problems for mid-sized companies of 50 to 500 employees, is the complexity of security solutions, but the new partnership has provided a cost effective bundled security solution to the mid-market.
"The iForce VPN/Firewall appliance is an easy to use one-stop security solution comes with the latest version of Check Point," says Moynihan. "Check Point VPN-1 NGAI configures networks in such a way that limits damage even if malicious code manages to reach the network."
Apart from cost and functionality, Moynihan says the third most important purchasing criterion is support. Westcon comes into the partnership to provide the first line of support.
"Westcon brings important elements to the party, including a single point of support for the whole solution, a choice of support packages, certified technical and sales skills, and high availability with local stock holdings worth R35 million," explains Mouritz Snyder, Westcon product manager.
Moynihan says less than 40% of companies actually evaluate security solutions before purchasing. Snyder says Westcon makes evaluation easier by providing a two-week evaluation service. "We like companies to use and evaluate the iForce VPN/Firewall appliance for themselves."
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