WatchGuard rolls out updated security appliance

The new WatchGuard XTM 8 models are due out in the fourth quarter of 2009

Network security vendor WatchGuard has unveiled a new addition to its network appliance portfolio.

The XTM 8 series aims to filter and secure network traffic and protect against network and application-specific attacks.

The company said that the new models are due out in the fourth quarter of 2009 and would target customers with 1,000 to 5,000 network users. It will support speeds ranging from 1.2Gbit/s to 5Gbit/s.

Central to the new line will be the Fireware XTM operating system. The updated software will allow the XTM 8 appliances to monitor and protect traffic on HTTPS, voice over IP (VoIP) and peer-to-peer applications.

The new models will also sport an updated firewall that uses packet inspection and proxy management tools. The company hopes that the firewall will better protect against network-based attacks such as denial-of-service efforts and malformed packet attacks.

Enterprise security vendors have been paying heightened attention to application-based security systems in recent years. Many companies are seeing an increase in the use of internet-connected applications such as VoIP services and instant messaging tools, and new network security threats have emerged outside conventional browser-based traffic.

WatchGuard hopes that the new appliances can reach that market and provide adequate network protection for those third-party tools and services.

"Now, more than ever, businesses look to multifunction security appliances to keep their networks, applications and data safe," said WatchGuard vice president of marketing Eric Aarrestad.

"The WatchGuard XTM 8 Series provides an unmatched combination of high-performance, high-security, flexibility and scalability for today's business needs."