FDS plugs more security for networks

FDS Networks (M) Sdn Bhd, the local partner of Baltimore, Maryland-based security solutions provider SafeNet Inc, has announced the availability of its SafeEnterprise iGate SSL VPN appliance.

“ The iGate SSL VPN appliance sits between an organisation’s firewall and its e-mail, enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and extranet servers and provides policy-based access by authorised employees within or beyond its premises,” said FDS product manager Ng Chee Ho.

“ It can be plugged into the user’s network without causing any disruption to the operation of the system,” he added.

As with a bank’s automated teller machine, iGate SSL VPN uses two layers of authentication. Firstly, users need to insert a SafeNet iKey security dongle into the USB port of their client PC. Then, they need to key in their password through a web-based interface to gain access through the iGate appliance.

The appliance provides security for web browser or client/server applications with support for TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol), POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail and Citrix Metaframe.

Users need to access the appliances portal page to key in their password. When the portal page is closed, access to the company's servers will also be shut. “The secure connection is also broken if the user pulls out his iKey dongle. This is especially useful if he’s in a hurry,” said Ng.

“ By the end of July, SafeNet plans to include support for smartcards complying with the PKCS11 security standard, as well as support for Entrust, Microsoft CA (Certification Authority), Baltimore CA or even DigiCert CA,” he added.

iGate SSL VPN comes in two versions – iGate Team and iGate Pro.

iGate Team is priced at US$9,595 (about RM36,461) including 40 iKey dongles and it’s scalable to support up to 100 users with additional dongles. iGate Pro costs US$27,595 (about RM104,861) including 70 iGate dongles and it supports up to 1,000 users.

Each additional iGate USB dongle costs US$25 (around RM95).

So far, Ng claims to have sold a 70-user iGate Team solution to a multinational logistics company.

FDS Malaysia can be reached at (03) 5632-2991. Its website can be found at www.fds-malaysia.com. More information on SafeNet products is available at www.safenet-inc.com. – CHARLES F. MOREIRA