DAILY NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE GLOBAL GRID COMMUNITY /    ( Table of Contents )

Breaking News - Security:

New Check Point InterSpect Safeguards Enterprises

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, a worldwide leader in securing the Internet, unveiled Check Point InterSpect, a new family of Internal Security Gateway solutions to revolutionize the way that customers protect their internal networks and applications. The industry's first complete internal security solution, Check Point InterSpect provides the deepest and most intelligent security available for safeguarding corporate networks from damaging cyber attacks that are introduced inside the network.

The InterSpect system is delivered as a dedicated security appliance designed for quick, easy and non-disruptive deployment inside enterprise networks. It uses sophisticated security technology to intelligently inspect internal traffic to identify and block unauthorized or malicious behavior and specific attacks, provides security segmentation to prevent unauthorized access between network zones, and quarantines computers generating suspicious activity.

The Threat From Within

Multiple layers of security are required to protect networks from attacks that originate from internal sources -- such as desktops and laptops used by mobile or traveling employees. In such cases, organizations may successfully defend against cyber attacks, only to have the network become infected again as soon as one of the "road warriors" returns to the office and reconnects their laptop. An example of an attack that propagated among users of the network after being introduced by an internal source includes the Blaster worm that caused an excess of $500 million in economic damages.

"In 2003, the world watched Slammer, Sobig and Blaster ravage and bring down internal networks," said Richard Stiennon, vice president of Gartner. "Combating today's sophisticated attack environment requires intelligent, pre-emptive attack solutions that go beyond protecting the Internet perimeter to protect an organization's internal network. Such a solution must be easy-to-manage, capable of segmenting networks into security zones, provide quarantines, and have good in-line performance."

Meeting The Internal Security Challenge

Check Point InterSpect integrates new software on a new hardware platform designed for fast, flexible and non-disruptive deployment into existing network environments in minutes. Check Point InterSpect provides:

• Intelligent Worm Defender

Blocks the spread of worms and attacks inside the network through Check Point Stateful Inspection and Application Intelligence technologies.

• Network Zone Segmentation

Segments the internal network into organizational security zones to contain a potential attack and minimize unrestricted employee access.

• Quarantine of Suspicious Computers

Isolates attacks and compromised devices to prevent further contamination of network devices and aids in patch management.

• LAN Protocol Protection

Provides the deepest and most comprehensive support for Microsoft and other LAN protocols to ensure the stability of internal networks.

• Pre-emptive Attack Protection

Provides proactive defenses against vulnerabilities before they are exploited to provide the highest levels of security.

Broad Internal Application And Protocol Support

Through Check Point Application Intelligence and Stateful Inspection technologies, InterSpect provides the industry's deepest and most granular inspection for protocols and applications used for internal networks. Other solutions have been designed for perimeter security and do not have the awareness of internal applications and protocols needed to provide this protection inside the network.

Examples of primarily LAN-based protocols are SQL for database applications like MS SQL Server and Oracle, and MS RPC for Exchange and other Microsoft applications. These protocols are critical business operations inside the network, so internal security solutions must not only support these protocols, but also implement advanced security controls to prevent attacks and misuse.

Solving Real-World Customer Challenges

Via its Early Access Program, Check Point InterSpect is already protecting the internal networks of numerous customers worldwide who have successfully tested and deployed it at their sites.

"As a leading provider of content and analytic solutions for many of the world's largest consumer packaged goods, retail and health care companies, we have volumes of marketplace information to secure and simply can not afford to have our network down for any amount of time," said Greg Murray, vice president of information security at Information Resources Inc, an InterSpect beta customer. "Check Point InterSpect is one of the most robust products available today that meets our needs for a comprehensive internal security solution. It enables us to preemptively protect against attacks and rapidly eradicate worms and viruses, thereby maximizing up-time and significantly improve security operations."

"Check Point is committed to providing the industry's most intelligent solutions for addressing dynamic and evolving Internet security challenges. One of the most critical issues customers face today is protecting against attacks that originate or propagate inside the network," said Gil Shwed, chairman and CEO of Check Point Software. "InterSpect raises the bar for internal security solutions and enables Check Point to solve customers internal security challenges."