Cisco unveils new network security innovations

Anti-X advancements set new standards for unified threat prevention; SSL VPN advancements extend highly secure, seamless access to more users

Dubai, February 28th, 2006 – Cisco Systems further strengthened their commitment to its security strategy with the launch of its "Anti-X" network threat prevention and Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) solutions. These innovations will help customers better identify, prevent and adapt to security threats and tailor connectivity to serve a wide variety of deployment scenarios.

"Anti-X" network threat prevention;

The new Content Security and Control security services module (CSC-SSM) for the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) 5500 Series provides a comprehensive set of market-leading Anti-X services. These services unify antivirus, anti-spyware, file blocking, anti-spam, anti-phishing, URL blocking and filtering, and content filtering.

SSL VPN Advancements deliver Universal Secure Network Access;

The SSL VPN services for the Cisco ASA 5500 Series family of security appliances coupled with SSL VPN capabilities on Cisco IOS routers expand the breadth of Cisco's market-leading security product portfolio. Both products deliver new advanced clientless and client-based SSL VPN functionality with robust endpoint and network security while lowering operational and equipment costs. For more information about Cisco Security Services, visit Security Services at www.cisco.com/go/services/security.

"Developed in alliance with Trend Micro, this award-winning technology shields internal network resources against malware and malicious Internet threats at the Internet gateway. Unlike solutions that provide "in-the-wild" or limited protections, the Cisco ASA 5500 Series delivers an integration of robust antivirus and content security technologies with market-leading firewall and threat protected VPN services. This gives customers superior protection in an easy to administer solution while reducing the operational costs and complexity of deploying and managing multiple point solutions," said Samer Alkharrat, General Manager – Gulf Region and Pakistan , Cisco Systems.

The availability of anti-phishing protection helps prevent employees from inadvertently disclosing company or personal information. Real-time protections for Web access, mail and file transfers are also available reducing threats associated with employees accessing web-based email applications and downloading contaminated files and programs.

Anti-X services delivered on the CSC-SSM include anti-virus technology for inspecting and cleaning e-mail and Internet web traffic at the perimeter, which helps ensure business continuity and eliminate the need for resource-intensive clean-ups. Customers can also block spyware from entering the network through Internet web and e-mail traffic and block spam with extremely low false positives thus maintaining uninterrupted e-mail communications.

In addition, CSC-SSM offers a rich set of URL filtering capabilities that help block access to inappropriate or non-work-related websites. The ability to conduct e-mail filtering improves employee productivity, minimizes legal liability due to exposure to offensive material, and helps enforce regulatory compliance. These Anti-x services are managed through an easy "set-and-forget" remotely accessible web-console with automated updates reducing deployment time and effort.