Novell delivers comprehensive perimeter security on Linux

Novell has announced the availability of Novell Security Manager powered by Astaro, a complete network security solution containing six perimeter security applications with an integrated management platform. The SUSE Linux-based soft appliance provides a comprehensive security infrastructure that protects businesses against security threats caused by hackers, viruses, worms, spam and intrusions.

Novell Security Manager provides organisations with multiple defences in one integrated, Linux-based application that is able to quickly respond to new threats with automated updates. This cuts the costs and loss of productivity associated with such threats. A Web-based, common management platform provides a single installation, interface and reporting tool that minimises the cost and effort to deploy and manage the software.

As a Linux-based appliance, Novell Security Manager leverages the collective benefits of open source software. An active community responds to security holes with quick patches and access to the source code enables modifications, providing an extremely stable and secure platform.

"Novell`s leadership in Linux and identity-driven security is the perfect complement to Astaro`s experience and leadership in network security software and appliances," said Astaro CEO Jan Hichert. "Our Linux-based approach provides customers enterprise-class security that protects their organisations from all external threats. We are looking forward to helping Novell realise its vision of a flexible, feature-rich, cost-effective IT infrastructure based on Linux platforms."

Novell Security Manager powered by Astaro comes with six fully integrated security applications:

* Firewall protection that controls the flow of traffic into an organisation based on ports, protocols, sources and destinations.

* Virtual private network (VPN) gateway eliminates expensive leased-lines for remote users to reduce costs.

* Intrusion protection detects and/or blocks attacks on the network and allows administrators to limit activities such as instant messaging, chat and peer-to-peer networks.

* Virus protection scans for over 100 000 virus signatures using multiple methods including signature checking and heuristics. * Spam protection blocks, quarantines or reports suspected spam using selected rules, patterns and thresholds.

* Content filtering blocks access to undesirable Web sites with access policies that can be customised for different users or groups.

Security Manager becomes part of the Novell Nsure family of identity and access management solutions, providing Linux customers with a comprehensive perimeter security product that is easy to configure and manage. Novell and Astaro are working together on a roadmap for future releases of the product.

Stafford Masie, managing director of Novell SA, said: "In Astaro, we have a proven partner that is equally committed to driving the adoption of Linux in the enterprise. Novell Security Manager supports our effort to provide customers with solutions that optimise their current investments and allow us to reach new customers outside our traditional install base."