Astaro Rolls Out Version 7 of its Award-Winning Security Gateway UTM Product

Offers email encryption, SSL VPN, enterprise level clustering and more.

London and Karlsruhe (Germany), (23rd January, 2007) – Further strengthening its leadership position in perimeter security and Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, Astaro Corporation (www.astaro.co.uk), today announced version 7 of its Astaro Security Gateway, representing seven years of advanced technology development, customer feedback and end-user suggestions, and current marketplace demands.

The line of Astaro Security Gateways protect computer networks from a variety of threats including viruses, hackers, spam, spyware, phishing and unauthorised content.

“Version 7 contains a number of advanced features and enhancements that our 30,000 network users and reseller channel partners have been anticipating,” said Jan Hichert, Astaro CEO. “Among these are transparent e-mail encryption, SSL VPN, active/active clustering and safeguards for the uncontrolled flood of unsecured instant messaging traffic and peer-to-peer file sharing traffic.”

The Astaro Security Gateway integrates a complete set of security technologies that comprise a mix of best of breed, open source and commercial software covering all aspects of security including email security (anti spam, anti phishing, dual virus protection for email, transparent encryption), web filtering (content filtering, anti virus for the Web, anti spyware, and IM & P2P control), and network protection (firewall, remote access & VPN, and intrusion protection).

Transparent Email Encryption/Decryption
Astaro’s centralised email encryption strategy offers complete transparency to end users with the added benefit that no additional encryption software is required on the client side.

Astaro’s version 7 enables the encryption, decryption and digital signature of emails, based on S/MIME and OpenPGP standards. Defined user groups or individual users can automatically encrypt and/or sign their emails through central email encryption inside the Astaro gateway before sending them. Inbound email is automatically decrypted. Because of the nature of UTM, both incoming and outgoing email is verified and forwarded through virus and content scanners before users open it.

Secure Remote Access via SSL VPN
Version 7 also introduces SSL VPN through the enhancement of existing remote access protocols such as IPSec, L2TP over IPSec, and PPTP tunneling with SSL VPN. The Astaro gateway is the only UTM appliance on the market with such a degree of VPN and remote access solutions.

Scalability via Clustering
For large multi-user enterprise environments, Astaro has developed a unique brand of Active/Active Clustering that enables the load distribution for as many as 10 Astaro Security Gateways, eliminating the need to install additional load balancers. This patent-pending technology increases the speed and reliability of network traffic.

Availability
The Astaro Security Gateway version 7 is available immediately. Customers can download the software appliance directly from www.astaro.co.uk. It will also ship with any one of Astaro’s full range of hardware appliances.

About Astaro
Astaro develops a complete line of network security products including the Astaro Security Gateway software and Astaro Security Gateway line of security appliances. All Astaro products offer nine critical security applications in three categories – Web Security, Email Security and Network Security – fully integrated on a single management platform. The company is headquartered in Burlington, Mass., and Karlsruhe, Germany. Astaro's software has won numerous industry awards, and is protecting over 30,000 networks in 60 countries. Astaro products are distributed by a worldwide network of 350 solutions partners who offer local support and services.
www.astaro.co.uk

Press Contacts
Goode International
James Farquharson, james.farquharson@goode.co.uk
Emily Monsell, emily.monsell@goode.co.uk
+44 (0) 1491 873 323


eZ Publish™ copyright © 1999-2008 eZ Systems AS