Check Point Extends VPN to Wireless Devices

March 14, 2002 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (checkpoint.com), a leader in Internet security, announced on Thursday that its VPN-1 SecureClient software is now available for Microsoft Windows-powered personal digital assistant and handheld PC devices.

The Check Point VPN-1 SecureClient, says the company, integrates an personal Check Point firewall with secure remote access and centralized management capabilities to address requirements for end-to-end integrated security in wired and wireless environments.

Along with industry leading vendors Microsoft, Intel, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and others, says Check Point, the company is working to enable enterprise-wide requirements for the rapidly growing mobile workforce.

"Employees are increasingly taking advantage of the convenience of PDAs and handheld PCs,” says Carol Stone, vice president of marketing for Check Point Software Technologies. “As enterprises extend the boundaries of their networks to these users, centrally securing the communications to and from the devices and protecting the data that resides on them is essential."

VPN-1 SecureClient for Pocket PCs, says Check Point, extends the company’s UniversalVPN solutions, enabling secure communications through Wireless LANs using 802.11, Wireless Internet and traditional dial-up and Ethernet connections. The software delivers integrated end-to-end firewall and VPN functionality, a centrally managed personal firewall and automatic security updates that make security simple to administer and transparent to users.

The application, says Check Point, will revolutionize the way organizations do business, enabling mobile works to connect securely to information and resources. This will be particularly useful, says the company, is cases such as manufacturing linemen tracking and managing inventory in real-time or field repair personnel accessing customer records on the job.

The VPN-1 SecureClient will initially support devices running the Microsoft Windows operating system and powered by the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture and the Intel PXA 250 Applications processor, including PDAs such as Compaq’s iPaqs and HP’s Jornada 560 Series and handheld PCs including HP’s Jornada 720 Series.