Singapore – 03 July 2008 – WatchGuard® Technologies, a global provider of network security solutions, today announced its visionary ascent into next-generation unified threat management (UTM), taking it to a higher level of performance, scalability, high security, investment protection and end-user choice with extensible threat management (XTM) and connectivity solutions.

UTM Solutions Will Remain the Primary Security Solution for Distributed Environments
UTM solutions have recently dominated the network-security arena, essentially integrating firewall, network-intrusion detection and prevention, and gateway anti-virus components.  Widely accepted by customers, the UTM market has grown tremendously from sales valued at US$100 million in 2004 to US$1.3 billion in 2007.  IDC forecasts UTM sales to exceed US$2.5 billion in 2010*.  In 2007, WatchGuard's appliance shipments grew by 190 per cent, most of which were UTM solutions – confirming WatchGuard’s increasing enterprise-network-security market share, and successful shift to UTM. 

According to IDC, UTM will remain the primary security solution for distributed environments; but within the enterprise, it will evolve into an XTM platform.  "With the increase of mobility, consumer and Web 2.0 applications moving into the enterprise, security of the network perimeter is at an inflection point, changing views on security architecture and management,” said Joe Wang, CEO, WatchGuard Technologies. 

Tomorrow’s Blended Threats Need XTM Security
Although UTMs offer considerable deployment flexibility, today’s increasingly sophisticated and decreasingly conspicuous blended threats require scalable appliances that can be modified, updated and customised so that maximum security is always maintained.  The changing perimeter of the workspace, coupled with the “x” factor of unknown threats, creates opportunity for future UTMs – XTM solutions – which will change the industry landscape and redefine network security.  “As a pioneer and award-winning innovator of UTM technologies and solutions, WatchGuard is taking UTM to its next level with our XTM vision and technology direction”, added Wang.

WatchGuard’s XTM Solutions
Extensibility means having the ability to add on to or extend.  XTM platforms take security appliances beyond traditional boundaries by vastly expanding security features and functionality, networking capabilities and management flexibility, whilst providing automated processes – such as logging, reputation-based protections, event correlation, network-access control and vulnerability management.  WatchGuard adds extensibility to its UTM solutions, offering multiple choices by enabling customisation of security services and management capabilities according to enterprise needs.

“WatchGuard’s current firmware release for Peak, Core and Edge appliances have extensibility built in already.  They are the foundation to our XTM future, and will provide extensible security and service for years to come.  If you need superior security right now, then the prudent move is to enjoy some of the extensible security, manageability and flexibility associated with our current UTM solutions”, continued Wang.  However, later this year, WatchGuard will release more XTM-branded solutions that incorporate more XTM feature sets – addressing extensible threats (the next generation of blended-security threats), having extensible management (improved scalability and greater granular control), offering extensible choice (network interoperability and feature-set customisation), and ensuring extensible ownership (network interoperability, total cost of ownership and return on investment). 

“WatchGuard’s XTM vision combines a plethora of benefits, uniquely positioning us to give businesses around the world the peace of mind, knowing that their networks, employees’ work and data are highly secure with our XTM solutions”, concluded Wang.  

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Since 1996, WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. has been the advanced technology leader of network security solutions, providing mission-critical security to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide.  The WatchGuard family of wired and wireless unified threat management (UTM) appliances and WatchGuard SSL VPN remote access solutions provide extensible network security, unparalleled network visibility, management and control.  WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support, maintenance, and education programme.  WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore, with other offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo.  To learn more, visit www.watchguard.com.

WatchGuard, Firebox and LiveSecurity are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

* http://www.scmagazineus.com/UTMs-Key-cog-in-infrastructure/article/109728/