Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Cybersecurity
    • Networking

    Palo Alto Networks Extends Network Security to Branch Office

    By
    Fahmida Y. Rashid
    -
    November 7, 2011
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Palo Alto Networks launched new enterprise-class network-security products to protect branch-office and remote users.

      The next-generation PA-200 firewall comes in a small form factor and allows enterprises to extend the same level of security for applications, users and content available at headquarters to the branch office, Palo Alto Networks said Nov. 7. Additionally, the WildFire capability adds malware-fighting capabilities to the firewall.

      As a general rule, enterprises deploy best-practices network security at the company headquarters, but compensate by reducing costs when it comes to securing the branch office and remote users, according to Chris King, director of product marketing at Palo Alto Networks.

      The branch office often deploys security products designed for small and midsized businesses in order to get “the best security available for a certain price,” King told eWEEK. Remote users most often have limited security protection, often limited to just endpoint security products such as an antivirus tool, he said.

      For most organizations, the only ways to secure the network is to either divert all traffic back to headquarters for proper scanning first or “go cheap” on security, King said. Considering very few organizations have a large swathe of employees and other types of enterprise users working within headquarters, the goal was to extend the “exact same security experience” to the branch office, King said.

      The PA-200 allows the IT team to have the same firewall protection across all branch offices without breaking the bank, according to King.

      The company also announced a new version of its GlobalProtect remote access technology to protect remote users running Mac OS X and iOS devices. GlobalProtect, which already supported Microsoft Windows devices, protects remote users with the same policies and controls that are being applied back at the corporate office, according to King. The auto-firewall is “just on,” so users don’t have to think about turning it on or checking to see what it’s doing, King said.

      The iOS version of GlobalProtect is not a new application, so Palo Alto Networks doesn’t have to wait on Apple to approve it, according to King. Instead, it uses the native VPN capability on iOS devices, and is configured using mobile-device management tools to provide the protection.

      The company’s newly announced WildFire capability focuses on blocking malware specifically designed to bypass front-line defenses. With WildFire running, the firewall can identify outbound traffic generated by malware on an already-compromised system on the network and generate a signature to identify the traffic to stop future incidents.

      WildFire identifies malicious files by unpacking and executing them in a virtual cloud-based sandbox, King said. If the file in question really is malicious, such as changing registry settings or injecting itself into processes, the damage is done in the virtual environment and keeps the victim’s computer and networks safe, according to King. Palo Alto Networks automatically generates new signatures when new malware is discovered using this new capability. Palo Alto Networks will also provide customers with information about how the malware behaves, who was targeted and how it entered the network, according to the company.

      By integrating the firewall with the cloud-based analysis engine, WildFire reduces the time-to-protection for all customers, Palo Alto Networks said. WildFire will be distributed as a free upgrade for the company’s firewall products.

      “Combining prior technical contributions such as sandboxing technology and cloud-based malware analysis with the unprecedented capabilities of a next-generation firewall has resulted in innovation that enterprises can feasibly deploy throughout their networks,” said Nir Zuk, founder and CTO of Palo Alto Networks.

      Fahmida Y. Rashid

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×