WatchGuard Safeguards Wireless Networks for Small Businesses, Remote O

    Business Editors

    SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD), a leading global provider of integrated network security products and services, today announced the immediate availability of its Firebox X Edge Wireless line of security appliances. The latest addition to the Firebox X family of integrated security appliances, the Firebox X Edge Wireless line combines secure wireless connectivity with one of the highest firewall and VPN performances in its class of appliances. The three models in the Firebox X Edge Wireless line provide small businesses, remote offices and telecommuters with commercial-class network security, an integrated 802.11b/g compatible Wireless Access Point (WAP), and both WAN and modem failover for added network reliability. The Firebox X Edge line also includes three wired models.
    All Firebox X Edge Wireless models offer a variety of security options to protect the wireless LAN, including the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard, as well as IPSec mobile user VPN and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) protocols. Additionally, all wireless and wired WatchGuard Firebox X Edge appliances now provide dial-up failover capabilities with added modem support. This is designed to provide a cost-effective alternative to dual broadband connections for those organizations with a critical need for uninterrupted connection to the Internet. The appliances also feature four new configuration wizards designed to reduce installation and set-up time for network administrators.
    WatchGuard has also extended two of the Firebox X Edge models (both wired and wireless versions) to support twice the number of users. Firebox X5 / X5w now supports up to 17 users and Firebox X15 / X15w up to 30.
    Firebox X Edge appliances can integrate into an existing network and support centrally managed VPN connectivity and logging from Firebox X500, X700, X1000 or X2500 appliances located at a central site. Through WatchGuard System Manager, a network administrator may centrally maintain the VPN configurations and logs for all remote offices protected by a Firebox X Edge. This lowers the cost of managing multiple appliances on a business network by centralizing the critical connectivity and status functions of the security appliances across the enterprise.
    "Businesses are often quick to adopt wireless networking as a tool to increase efficiency without considering the impacts on the overall security of their network. This means corporate headquarters, stand-alone small businesses, remote offices and telecommuters may be vulnerable to attack," said John Stuckey, vice president of marketing, WatchGuard. "With Firebox X Edge Wireless, WatchGuard not only delivers the highest performance in its class, but also provides businesses with complete wireless protection from the core all the way through to the edge of their networks."
    Like all Firebox X appliances, the Firebox X Edge line is based on an expandable platform with full model upgrade capability. The Firebox X Edge is the only appliance in its class to allow users to apply a software license key to existing hardware and get all the performance, capacity and functionality of a higher model in the line. This enables customers to scale existing Firebox X security appliances simply and economically without costly and time-consuming hardware replacements.

    Pricing and Availability

    Firebox X Edge is available in three different models, both wired and wireless, with varying levels of capacity and performance: Firebox X5 / X5w, Firebox X15 / X15w and Firebox X50 / X50w. The appliances are available immediately through WatchGuard resellers worldwide. For the Firebox X Edge Wireless models, prices range from US$569 MSRP for the Firebox X5w to US$1,149 MSRP for the Firebox X50w. Please visit www.watchguard.com to find the nearest distributor or reseller.

    About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

    WatchGuard is a leading provider of network security solutions for small- to mid-sized enterprises worldwide, delivering integrated products and services that are robust as well as easy to buy, deploy and manage. The company's Firebox X line of expandable integrated security appliances is designed to be fully upgradeable as an organization grows and to deliver the industry's best combination of security, performance, intuitive interface and value. WatchGuard Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently and provides the flexibility to integrate additional security functionality and services offered through WatchGuard. Every WatchGuard product comes with an initial LiveSecurity Service subscription to help customers stay on top of the security landscape with vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction and superior customer care. For more information, please call 206-521-8340 or visit www.watchguard.com.

    WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox 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.

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CONTACT: LEWIS PR for WatchGuard Rachel Kim Euretig, 415/277-5400 watchguard@lewispr.com OR WatchGuard Public Relations Sue Whitcomb, 206/613-6646 sue.whitcomb@watchguard.com

KEYWORD: WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005