Blue Coat ProxyOne appliance simplifies web security

Network security firm Blue Coat Systems has launched a new appliance designed to bring enterprise-grade web security to small firms with few IT resources.

The ProxyOne hybrid appliance combines anti-malware scanning, web filtering and user activity reporting in a single box which is easy to install and run, according to the vendor's European marketing vice president, Nigel Hawthorn.

"Large organisations have always been able to implement the best defences against malware, phishing sites or users acting inappropriately, but for smaller firms it has always been difficult," he said.

"ProxyOne is intended to offer affordable, low-touch but comprehensive protection for organisations who only have an IT generalist or rely on their external reseller [for security]."

The appliance connects to Blue Coat's cloud-based WebPulse service which provides real-time protection against malicious sites.

A Kaspersky Lab anti-virus engine, meanwhile, provides malware and anti-virus scanning capabilities at the web gateway, blocking threats before they enter the network.

The appliance also uses Blue Coat's caching technology to speed the scanning process, while on-box reporting of user activity can be customised via a user-friendly interface, the firm said.