F5 Networks (News - Alert) has launched a new version of its award-winning FirePass SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network) solution.

 

FirePass enables enterprises to manage employee and external access to business applications, keep mobile users connected, and enforce compliance with strict HIPAA, PCI, and GLBA requirements. Offering an industry-first combination of Windows Group Policy enforcement with pre-defined templates the new version allows customers to extend Active Directory (AD) Group Policy to non-domain endpoints.

 

FirePass includes improved support for popular mobile devices such as the iPhone (News - Alert) and Windows Mobile handsets. Thanks to the solution, iPhone users can sync their e-mail, calendar, and contacts directly to the corporate MS Exchange server via FirePass and the ActiveSync protocol.

 

Jeff Wilson, principal analyst at Infonetics Research (News - Alert), explained that making access to corporate information flexible and simple is key for enterprises struggling to manage and secure mobile workforces.

 

Because there isn’t a single access policy that fits every situation, vendors need to provide customers with a choice of templates to suit their particular policy and access requirements, and the flexibility to modify templates as needed. Wilson emphasized that this is particularly critical for evolving corporate governance and compliance mandates.

 

According to Sebastian Sullivan, manager, Information Security and Computer Operations at Southern Illinois Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, FirePass enabled them to offer secure access to their users without limiting application performance or tying access to specific client devices.

 

The new FirePass solution include extended and enhanced policy enforcement and security to non-trusted devices, broadest support for application and client access and convenient, secure access for mobile users.

 

Senior Director of Product Management at F5, Jason Needham, pointed out that the challenge of providing secure access as business, security, and compliance requirements change has prompted a number of enterprises to deploy SSL VPN solutions over IPsec alternatives.

 

Enterprises now require a secure access solution that not only addresses remote users and those on the LAN, but supports all types of wired and wireless connections. FirePass enables customers to simplify management for all types of users.

 

“F5’s policy-based approach delivers the flexibility that enterprises need to securely make corporate data and applications available to employees—without sacrificing performance or convenience,” he stated.

 

F5’s officials inform that the latest version of the FirePass SSL VPN solution is available now and existing F5 customers with current FirePass maintenance agreements and hardware platforms can leverage all the capabilities included in the new solution.

 

The company is also offering Group Policy feature as an add-on license, with templates included.