Channel applauds Watchguard SSL launch

New product will be well received by enterprise security resellers, WatchGuard distributor claims

Security vendor WatchGuard has been praised by the channel for its new enterprise SSL products, which launched at Cebit last week.

The new SSL (secure socket layer) VPN (virtual private networks) stand alone appliances are designed to make remote users less of an expensive headache to manage, a problem that is particularly common among large enterprises.

Priced at around £2,500 per user, they will give enterprise security resellers an attractive new offering for their clients, according to Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of security distributor Wick Hill.

“Enterprise resellers will want to add this to their portfolio. And WatchGuard resellers in the SME space will find they have something to offer as an enterprise solution,” said Kilpatrick. “It’s good news all round for the channel.”

One reseller said the new management at WatchGuard has made a big difference to the company. Last year Joe Wang was installed as CEO of the company, after ownership of the company transferred from public ownership to two venture capital firms, Vector Capital and Francisco Partners.

“WatchGuard has always been a good product company, for SMEs. But now it has got a man at the top who knows how to give the channel want they want: plenty of new product offerings and reseller initiatives,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous. “It is showing a bit of enterprise at last.”

The new WatchGuard SSL appliances utilise web browsers or thin clients, end-point integrity checking, network interface control and virtual desktops to deliver business applications directly to the user, regardless of their location. “They give more options on authentication, identity management and security features,” said WatchGuard product manager, Bryan Nairn.