Partnership promises better network security

Intel, Check Point and Nokia have banded together to build security appliances that inspect network traffic in multi-gigabit environments, and search deeper for signs of attacks without slowing network performance.

"This collaboration will bring a tighter integration of hardware, operating environment and applications to allow customers to benefit from increased performance at decreasing prices," said Andy Buss, principal analyst at Canalys.

"Partners and integrators will benefit from the increased performance and interoperability allowing them to concentrate on value added services and support."

The first result of the collaboration is the Nokia IP2450 security platform, a high-end security device integrating firewall and VPN support for business customers.

The new device is powered by Intel's quad-core Xeon CPU, and features the recently announced Check Point CoreXL.

CoreXL is part of Check Point's Open Performance Architecture and is optimised to make the most of the multi-threading performance gains of multi-core processors.

The system is supported by Nokia's IPSO and Accelerated Data Path Card technology, delivering the complete package in an IP security appliance backed by global support and services.

"Our customers want the highest levels of security and performance. ASIC-based solutions cannot compete with the speed and flexibility of Check Point and Intel combined," said Robert Egner, vice president of product management at Check Point.

Nokia plans to support CoreXL on its IP2450 and other multi-core platforms early next year, and engineering teams at the three companies plan to improve the security performance of the upcoming Nokia ADP Card and Nokia IPSO products.

"Intel is very active in the security space in helping the industry to solve the challenges of deeper inspection of traffic without slowing network performance," said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager of Intel's embedded and communications group.

The companies plan to conduct joint security channel briefings beginning in several EMEA markets in November.