Check Point targets UK growth in UTM market
Software vendor sets its sights on the UK mid-market with launch of three Unified Threat Management offerings
Security software giant Check Point has unleashed an aggressive assault on the UK mid-market with the launch of its first Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliances in the space.
The vendor has today unveiled three appliances – the UTM-1 450, UTM-1 1050 and UTM-1 2050 – which it claims will allow its channel to differentiate themselves and win market share over appliance-rivals such as Fortinet.
Speaking to CRN, Nick Lowe, managing director northern Europe at Check Point, said: “We are usually associated with the high-end market. Over the past few years we have introduced some small- and branch- office products that have been hardware based, but we have mainly stuck with the software approach. This launch is a big first for Check Point.”
Lowe claimed resellers typically have a fragmented security sell, but medium-sized businesses that cannot afford to have an in-house security specialist tend to prefer a consolidated and single managed appliance.
“With the UTM-1 range we are really giving mid-sized firms the chance to have enterprise-level functionality at a price point that is affordable,” Lowe claimed.
David Ellis, director of e-security at Check Point distributor Computerlinks, said: “Mid-market firms don’t want to compromise on functionality and it makes sense for Check Point to collapse everything into one box.”
Ellis added that the UTM market is set to change dramatically over the coming years.
“I think there will be a lot more consolidation and the small vendors will struggle,” he said. “A lot of those won’t be around in a few years’ time, but Check Point already has the market share and the experience. We feel very positive about this launch.”
Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of the Wick Hill Group, said: “I am very excited by this launch. The boxes themselves have good capability and we think there is a lot of pent-up demand. We see it as a great opportunity to go out and compete. Given Check Point’s reputation I think this is going to be a huge opportunity for its channel.”