Blue Coat Introduces ProxySG – Secure Proxy Appliances Control User Communications Over the Web
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sep. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Blue Coat(TM) Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCSI) today announced the availability of ProxySG(TM), a family of secure proxy appliances for controlling user communications over the Web.
Blue Coat ProxySG appliances integrate advanced proxy functionality with security services such as content filtering and Web virus scanning, without impacting network performance. With this release, Blue Coat has bolstered its secure proxy platform with new instant messaging (IM) control, integrated on-proxy support for SurfControl and enhanced Web protocol proxy support, adding proxy control of SOCKS, FTP, HTTPS, and DNS protocols.
Controlling and Logging Instant Messaging
Blue Coat ProxySG appliances allow organizations to gain control of IM applications already in use — providing the granular access control, logging and reporting required to turn public IM products into enterprise-class messaging solutions. ProxySG appliances can specify which IM protocols and clients can be used on the network, and who can use them. The appliances allow administrators to configure IM for internal or external use, establish authentication rules for using IM, allow or deny attachments by file type, control use of status modes such as “idle” or “away,” and allow or deny chat room access or voice chat.
Blue Coat ProxySG appliances with IM control provide instrumental features for securing intellectual property and helping comply with regulations like those outlined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The appliances provide keyword filtering so administrators can block an attempted communication, or send an alert if a defined keyword is found. Blue Coat also offers detailed logging of all IM access and conversations for each user on the network, with the ability to archive conversations for further review.
“The widespread use of instant messaging and Web-based applications prompted us to implement more granular control for our user communications over the Web,” said Ray Mok, principal networking engineer for BART, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority. “Blue Coat ProxySG appliances provided the ideal solution, installing quickly and easily behind our network firewalls.”
“The proliferation of enterprise Web applications, combined with users leveraging the Web to communicate outside the network, have presented new risks for today’s organizations,” said Mark Bouchard, senior program director for META Group. “Proxy appliances serve as an instrumental component to the security infrastructure, and are proving to be the optimal platform for controlling user communications over the Web.”
Enhanced Content Filtering Support
Blue Coat also separately announced today it has executed an agreement with SurfControl to jointly develop and resell SurfControl’s Content Database on the ProxySG. This partnership provides Blue Coat customers integrated support for all three of the top content filtering providers — including support for Secure Computing’s SmartFilter® Web filtering software and the Websense Enterprise® v5 database with add-on Premium Group categories.
Support for Secure Computing, SurfControl and Websense validates the Blue Coat ProxySG secure proxy appliance as an exceptional and optimal platform for enabling high-performance on-proxy content filtering. Customers now benefit by being able to select the most appropriate content filtering database for their needs, each of which can be centrally managed using Blue Coat’s advanced policy processing technology.
“Securing the network is no longer about just protecting against outside threats, but ensuring control over user communications,” said Steve Mullaney, vice president of marketing for Blue Coat Systems. “New Web applications such as instant messaging need to be managed and controlled, and Blue Coat ProxySG appliances are leading a progression of how Web traffic and communication must be monitored and controlled throughout the network infrastructure.”
Availability
The Blue Coat ProxySG appliances are available today from Blue Coat Systems and its global network of value-added reseller partners. The appliances are available in three models to meet the needs of any size network. The ProxySG appliances are priced based on size of the platform, number of users and number of enabled applications. For additional information and pricing, please contact Blue Coat at 408-220-2200.
About Blue Coat Systems
Blue Coat Systems provides secure proxy appliances that control user communications over the Web. Blue Coat ProxySG appliances integrate advanced proxy functionality with security services such as content filtering, instant messaging control and Web virus scanning — without impacting network performance. With more than 3,000 customers and over 14,000 appliances shipped worldwide, Blue Coat is trusted by many of the world’s most influential organizations to ensure a safe and productive Web environment. Blue Coat is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and can be reached at 408-220-2200 or www.bluecoat.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Blue Coat Systems’ expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Blue Coat Systems as of the date hereof, and Blue Coat Systems assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These and other risks relating to Blue Coat Systems’ business are set forth in Blue Coat Systems’ most recently filed Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2003, and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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