CyberGuard polishes Webwasher appliance

New content security device incorporates software functionality

Network security vendor CyberGuard has launched its first Webwasher appliance following its acquisition of the German software vendor earlier this year.

CyberGuard bought Webwasher for $40m in May in a bid to add functionality to its appliance range.

The CyberGuard WW1000 Content Security Appliance, aimed at the medium to large corporate marketplace, integrates Webwasher's Content Security Management Suite into a full content security management device, according to the firm. The product is due to ship next month.

It uses the Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP) to connect with CyberGuard's latest TSP series firewall/VPN devices. The WW1000 works with other caching proxy servers that support ICAP, CyberGuard claimed.

"Initially Webwasher was purely software-based, but customers were demanding an appliance based on the software that was easy to use. And this is what we have done," said Andrew Clarke, managing director of CyberGuard EMEA.

Clarke added that the appliance will act as a revenue spinner for the channel, because it will appeal to existing CyberGuard customers looking for increased functionality on installed appliances. "It is fully scaleable for when a firm starts to grow and has built in anti-virus and anti-spam capabilities," Clarke said.

Analyst IDC claimed the security content management appliance market will grow from £131m in 2003 to $1.1bn by 2008.

Duncan Hume, security division manager at CyberGuard distributor OpenPSL, welcomed the device.

"It provides complimentary technology to CyberGuard's firewall product set. Backed by a support package, we believe our resellers will see significant demand from medium to large firms that need the reliability of a content security management device and the flexibility to expand," he said.

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