UPDATE - Juniper & Microsoft secure IPTV networks

By Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 06 June 2006 02:56

Technology

See also: Juniper smooth s the path to IPTV

Juniper Networks and Microsoft have announced a global agreement to boost the security of IP networks, services and applications, in particular for service provider customers of Microsoft TV IPTV Edition.

Juniper says its firewall and firewall intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) product platforms will complement the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition content security mechanisms to help protect the infrastructure from malicious traffic and attacks such as worms, trojans, spyware and application layer threats. Juniper will also offer security consulting services to help operators assess service infrastructure vulnerabilities and design network security solutions.

The products Juniper brings to the collaboration are all developed by network security specialist, NetScreen, which was acquired by Juniper in 2004.

The move is the latest development in Juniper's push into the managed services market: it has identified a major growth opportunity in helping the traditional service provider customers of its edge and core routing products move up the value chain from simple connectivity into managed service offerings, and with the recent acquisitions of NetScreen, Peribit, Redline, Funk Software and others has a portfolio of products that addresses many of the requirements for managed services.

According to Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV. "Juniper delivers a unique security solution for the IP infrastructure that will add a layer of network security and enable operators to more reliably utilise IP networks to deliver a range of next-generation television services and experiences"

The Microsoft TV platform is a family of software that helps network operators create and deliver new digital TV services. It supports a range of services including interactive program guides, digital video recording, high-definition TV, on-demand programming and IPTV services and works across a full range of set-top boxes and TV devices.