ZyXEL sets new standard in unified security

ZyXEL Communications, a leading supplier of networking and communications solutions, has announced a complete refresh of its successful Unified Security Gateway (USG) range of UTM firewalls, presenting partners across South Africa with the opportunity to drive a new wave of security sales.

The new USG family spans the full-range of needs - from simple, entry-level devices designed for use by smaller and medium-sized businesses, to advanced, high-performance appliances that provide comprehensive protection. For ZyXEL reseller partners, the launch represents a significant opportunity to compete for business in a wider sphere of the marketplace, says Karel Leuschner, Managing Director of Nology, exclusive distributor for ZyXEL in South Africa.

"This completely new USG line-up takes ZyXEL to a higher level in the security market. With these products, ZyXEL partners can compete effectively in the wider UTM appliance sector, offering superb all-round protection, blistering performance, an excellent set of features, and exceptional return-on-investment to customers. The new USG range puts ZyXEL back in front."

ZyXEL will be encouraging partners to drive new business with customers that need good all-round protection at the gateway to the network, and to upgrade existing customers who want to take advantage of the very latest security technologies.

The new ZyXEL USG series delivers extraordinary performance and sophisticated protection for applications. Support for multiple VPN connectivity makes the ZyXEL USG range ideal for any organisation looking to extend remote and wireless access. All the new USG appliances come with enhanced intrusion and identity protection to safeguard the network from deliberate attempts to steal corporate or personal identities and passwords.

The new additions to the range also offer integrated access point controller functionality, so they can be used to provide secure wireless connectivity, as well as protection at the gateway to the network. On the higher-end models (USG110 upwards) full secure sockets layer (SSL) packet inspection and single-sign-on capabilities are also available. Best-of-breed anti-virus, anti-malware and content filtering protection - which is provided by Kaspersky Lab and Bluecoat - are available either as a standard feature or as an optional licence.

Customers benefit from free firmware upgrades too, which are provided on a six-monthly cycle by ZyXEL. This gives the ZyXEL USG appliances a low operational cost when compared to similar products from other vendors, for which an annual subscription must be paid for firmware upgrades.

The entire range is competitively priced when compared to UTM appliances of a similar class that are available today. This combination of excellent performance, a great feature set and low acquisition and running costs, will make it easy for partners to sell the new USG products, says Leuschner.

"The new USG family offers amazing speed, enterprise-class features and protection for applications, networks and data, along with simplified management and low operational costs. They underline why ZyXEL is now being considered alongside the leading brands in networking and security and give our partners a powerful set of solutions that addresses the full spectrum of user requirements."

The entry-level, the USG40 and USG60 devices are aimed at organisations with between 20 and 40 users; the top-of-the-range USG1100 and USG1900 appliances are capable of supporting up to 500 users.

Nology is proud to announce the availability of the powerful and flexible range of security gateways, adding to the strength of its ZyXEL product portfolio.