VMworld: Check Point launches virtualised security appliance

Check Point's Security Gateway Virtual Edition operates on the hypervisor level

Security vendor Check Point has introduced a virtualised edition of its Security Gateway appliance.

The Security Gateway Virtual Edition (VE) is based on the firm's Software Blade Architecture platform and uses VMware's VMSafe API to provide protection such as firewall and intrusion prevention for virtualised systems.

Much like a traditional network appliance covers multiple systems on a network, the virtual appliance operates on the hypervisor level, providing security for multiple virtual machines.

The approach has become increasingly popular among security vendors for its improved security as well as cost and performance benefits.

"Protecting the network from external threats and inspecting traffic in between virtual machines are two primary challenges associated with securing virtual environments," said Check Point Software Technologies vice president of products Dorit Dor.

"The new Security Gateway VE inspects inter-virtual machine traffic at the hypervisor level for seamless security across an organisation's environment."

Security Gateway VE is due for release some time in September.