Small companies next target for VPNs

The introduction of digital subscriber line services means that more companies will begin to use virtual private networks (VPNs), according to firewall vendor eSoft. The company claimed that as businesses adopted VPNs, demand for internal security will increase.

The introduction of digital subscriber line services means that more companies will begin to use virtual private networks (VPNs), according to firewall vendor eSoft. The company claimed that as businesses adopted VPNs, demand for internal security will increase.

However, the channel is asking if the forecast high demand for VPN links will lead to a glut of offerings.

Anna Focks, director of European marketing programmes at WatchGuard Technologies, said: "Companies must know how to deal with new technology in a short space of time. We have seen many new companies and recent products come and go very quickly."

Esoft's InstaGate EX product, which launched in Europe last week, is aimed at the small to medium sized enterprise market. ESoft believes that the EX product is a unique firewall because it can be added to and adapted over time.

John Williamson, Europe, Middle East & Africa managing director at eSoft, said: "These are firewalls with a future, not just solid-state and non-upgradable firewalls."

InstaGate EX can be expanded over the course of its lifetime by downloading the software upgrades available from the company, said eSoft. When users require an extension, they can obtain them on a monthly subscription basis, via the reseller.

The Site Filter is one such application, available as a SoftPak, which controls employees' access to the internet.

Tony Harbon, sales director at InstaGate EX distributor Clearview Systems, said: "Resellers will get continued turnover from the add-on products, as well as receiving a large one-off payment."