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Enterasys tackles WLAN risks with VPN deal with Sygate

Virtual private networks are now recognised as the foolproof way to secure mobile devices in the risk-aware enterprise; Enterasys has decided to build this into its WLAN products with Sygate technology.

Enterasys Networks, Inc. (NYSE: ETS), a leading provider of enterprise networking solutions, and Sygate Technologies, a leader in enterprise-focused security policy enforcement, today announced a strategic partnership to secure enterprise mobile computing environments.

Under the agreement, Enterasys will add Sygate's award-winning personal firewall technology to its Aurorean VPN and RoamAbout wireless product lines, and will offer Sygate Secure Enterprise (SSE) through Enterasys and its partners.

The combined solution "will deliver the highest levels of security to organisations that allow their employees to access the corporate LAN over public networks using VPN and wireless connections," the two companies said in a prepared statement. "Organisations will be able to enforce security policies over their users before granting them network access. They will also be able to verify the use of the Sygate Personal Firewall and other security programs such as anti-virus software."

According to Mads Lillelund, chief marketing officer at Enterasys Networks, many people "are concerned about the loss of and damage to valuable corporate information in situations using mobile computers, such as VPNs or wireless LANs. Our partnership with Sygate further strengthens the security of our VPN and wireless solutions by adding powerful distributed firewall technology to remote users' laptops, and complements our Secure Harbour framework for end-to-end enterprise network security."

Starting in April 2002, the Sygate Personal Firewall (SPF) will be bundled with Enterasys' Aurorean VPN Client and its RoamAbout Wireless PC cards.

Customers will be able to purchase the Sygate Secure Enterprise (SSE) suite through Enterasys and its partners for a centrally managed, distributed firewall solution. SSE automates enforcement of corporate security policies by linking users, devices and applications through trusted network communication.

In addition, Enterasys and Sygate have jointly developed an integrated VPN / personal firewall solution that combines Aurorean and Sygate Secure Enterprise.

"Enterasys and Sygate customers have been clear about their needs: they need effective protection of corporate information, and that requires automated policies that integrate security, applications and communication layers," said John De Santis, president and CEO of Sygate Technologies. "An unbroken chain of control, combined with relentless enforcement of those policies, is a condition of access to enterprise information. That is exactly what our partnership delivers to customers."

Pricing for Sygate Secure Enterprise is based on number of users and network configuration. For more information, please visit Enterasys at www.enterasys.com and Sygate at www.sygate.com