Sun shines in mid-market security

Check Point and Sun jointly develop VPN/firewall to be sold through channel

Check Point and Sun have made a dedicated push into the security mid-market space by developing a virtual private network (VPN)/firewall device to be sold exclusively through the channel.

The Linux-based iForce VPN/Firewall appliance allows firms to protect the privacy of business communications over the internet and secure critical network resources against unauthorised access, according to the two firms.

Mark Littlewood, UK volume server product marketing manager at Sun, said: "There are a number of security initiatives going on at Sun and we are always looking to break into new markets.

"We have had a long-standing relationship with Check Point and iForce is recognition of our co-operation."

Littlewood added that the product will be delivered exclusively through the channel and is part of Sun's low-cost computing strategy.

"Security is about brand trust. Check Point is a leading security vendor in the UK and we have a reputation of making secure systems," he said.

Tariq Ahmed, northern European sales manager at Check Point, said: "We are aiming at firms with between 100 and 500 users. There are about 13,000 companies in this category in the UK and it is an untapped marketplace for us."

Ahmed said the two firms have been holding channel roadshows to raise awareness of the product. He added that resellers can generate extra revenue through pre- and post-sales consultancy.

Allasso, which was acquired by storage distributor InTechnology earlier this year, has been ap-pointed as the sole UK distributor of the product.

Niall McGrane, Allasso's divisional director, said: "Because of its cost [the appliance] opens up new marketplaces for Check Point, which has not been available for mid-market businesses in the past because it has tended to concentrate on the high end.

"We are also seeing Sun make a commitment to security with this appliance that we have not seen in the past."

McGrane said Allassso had seen "huge levels" of interest from resellers and is confident the product will sell well.