WatchGuard`s New Security Box Shoulders More Networking - Beefed-Up Security (
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For beefed-up security, WatchGuard's optional spamBlocker
subscription in Version 10 will include support for VOD (Virus Outbreak
Detection), a new real-time technology that uses the same methods to
detect malware—including viruses—as it had been using for spam and
phishing attempts. Helming said that VOD can detect in real time virus
outbreaks anywhere around the globe and can protect customers in a
matter of minutes.
WatchGuard is partnering with Commtouch
on VOD. Commtouch's technology eschews traditional signature-based
virus detection, which can rely on developers taking anywhere from
hours to days to cough up a signature. Instead, Commtouch has
negotiated with ISPs and carriers to set up a network of monitoring
sensors throughout the world and, with that network, inspects some 5
billion messages a day, analyzing patterns of propagation to figure out
with a high degree of accuracy what's spam, what's legitimate traffic
and what's bulk mail.
It works by hashing e-mail. That hash is then sent to Commtouch's
service, which checks it against known problems. Helming said that the
300-millisecond response time means there's very little latency
involved.
Another feature, this one designed to make network administrators'
lives easier, is WebBlocker filtering for HTTPS Web pages. That's
designed to block the path of users who've learned how to bypass
network security filters by inserting an "s" at the end of "http" in
URLs. By doing so, users can surf potentially inappropriate,
unauthorized or unsafe sites, jeopardizing network security and
skewering productivity.
Other new features include a new logging and reporting engine called
WatchGuard System Manager, new log analysis tools, alerts integrated
into the appliances' UI, and support for SNMP 3.
IDC's Kolodgy noted that other vendors are heading down a similar
path when it comes to having a security device that can do most of an
organization's required networking. He pointed to Juniper's SSG (Secure Services Gateway) offerings of security appliances as a good example.
Cisco Systems' ASA falls into the same category of marrying networking and security, Kolodgy said.
At the "much lower end," SonicWall is also getting on the bandwagon, he said, as well as Fortinet.
WatchGuard Fireware 10 and Edge 10 will be available for free for
WatchGuard customers with a current WatchGuard LiveSecurity
subscription and will be loaded onto new WatchGuard UTM devices. The
software will be available for download within 30 days of the Jan. 28
announcement.
