Singapore: WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD) 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, has extended its Firebox X family of integrated security appliances to address the needs of branch offices, small- to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and remote workers with the launch of the Firebox X Edge line.

Firebox X Edge appliances are designed to provide growing enterprises with commercial-class security at the furthest points of the network at affordable prices. When the Firebox X Edge is used in combination with a Firebox X appliance located at a central site, customers get comprehensive central management and monitoring capabilities at no extra charge.

The Firebox X Edge line offers higher throughput, more VPN tunnels and more network interfaces than other security appliances in its class. It delivers firewall, VPN, wireless security, Web filtering and managed desktop AV capabilities in a single integrated solution. With its firewall and VPN, Firebox X Edge provides security exceeding that offered by NAT-based devices used by many branch offices and SMEs today.

Like all Firebox X appliances, the Firebox X Edge line is based on an expandable platform with full model upgrade capability and 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.

The Firebox X Edge also can be upgraded to incorporate security services such as Web filtering offered by WatchGuard today, and is designed to efficiently integrate other security services released by WatchGuard in the future.

According to Charles Kolodgy, research director at IDC, "Securing the perimeter of a distributed network is as important as protecting the network core. Many organizations use NAT devices. Because of security management issues, this popular option can fail to provide adequate security or excessively limit access options for remote users. With the Firebox X Edge line, WatchGuard gives SME customers robust, commercial-class security appliances at the end point. It enables cost-effective management and monitoring across an entire distributed enterprise from a single console."

For small businesses or remote offices without IT resources on site, Firebox X Edge features a built-in Web interface and new configuration wizards designed to ease installation and management for users of all experience levels.

Says Jeff Hurmuses, managing director, Asia Pacific, WatchGuard. "Our primary goal with the Firebox X Edge is to make sure it is secure right out of the box. At the same time, we understand that security expertise is often limited in small business or remote site environments so we focused on making set-up, management and monitoring intuitive. This combination of proven security, painless management and ability to scale on demand makes the Firebox X Edge the best-in-class solution at an affordable price point for growing enterprises."

All Firebox X Edge appliances come with an initial subscription to WatchGuard's LiveSecurity Service, which helps customers stay on top of emerging security issues and threats with vulnerability alerts, expert advice, software updates, advanced hardware replacement and live customer care.