WatchGuard launches enterprise-level UTM solution for SOHO needs

• Weakest link in a corporate network is often a home office or small office user
• Firebox T10 extends enterprises’ ability to protect the ‘new’ network perimeter

INTEGRATED security company WatchGuard Technologies has announced the WatchGuard Firebox T10 Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution, a network security appliance that it said allows enterprises to extend powerful network security to small office home office (SOHO) environments.
 
With 70% of high-value employees working at home at least once a week – according to the Frost & Sullivan report Beyond SOHO: The Future of Work – WatchGuard said its new solution allows network administrators to ensure robust protection of employees who are often managing the companies’ most critical intellectual property.
 
The Firebox T10 features WatchGuard’s cloud-based RapidDeploy capability, which instantly self-configures and begins reporting back to the administrator’s central console by simply plugging in the appliance.
 
“It’s no secret that attackers go for the weakest link when trying to get into a corporate network, and this is often a home office or small office user,” said Mike Jude, senior analyst at Frost & Sullivan.
 
“Yet, many organisations continue to rely on little or no security,” he added.
 
According to a recent global WatchGuard survey of IT professionals, more than 82% allow employees to access the corporate network from a small office or home office location. However, nearly 30% do not require a gateway security device.
 
For those that do, only 23% require users to use security products similar to those used in the corporate headquarters, with features such as intrusion prevention, antivirus, data loss prevention, application control, anti-spam, and more.
 
In the same study, WatchGuard also found that 56% feel basic VPN (virtual private network) access provides the needed protection against today’s SOHO threat landscape.
 
However, WatchGuard’s vice president of Asia Pacific, Scott Robertson (pic), said that VPN access is not complete security.
 
“VPN access has long been the standard for protecting communications for home-based employees in Malaysia.
 
“However, if your endpoint device is not protected at the same level as your enterprise network, the VPN tunnel simply provides an open window into your business.  You need to protect both, and the Firebox T10 is designed to make that easy and cost effective,” he added.
 
As the Firebox T10 rolls out to the market, WatchGuard anticipates the small, cost-effective solution will also appeal to customers seeking full UTM protection for mobile kiosks and carts, such as those used in retail and healthcare environments, that regularly handle credit cards and personal information.
 
The WatchGuard Firebox T10 is now available in Malaysia; for more information, click here.
 
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