FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sonic Systems Announces SonicWALL PRO Internet Security Appliance
Bringing high performance, comprehensive security to branch offices
and large, single-site networks
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 1, 1999 — Sonic Systems, Inc., provider
of Internet security for small to medium size companies, today
announced SonicWALL PRO, a high-performance Internet security
appliance for Fast Ethernet networks. SonicWALL PRO provides Internet
security, Virtual Private Networking (VPN), and content filtering
with high performance hardware to meet the needs of large networks.
SonicWALL PRO offers branch offices and large, single-site networks a
comprehensive security system to combat intruders and secure
important business data.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, large networks
comprise only one percent of all networks. Nine percent are
medium-size enterprises and 90 percent are categorized as small
networks. Yet most security products in today’s marketplace are
geared toward the top one percent, the large enterprise. As a result,
many companies struggle with security solutions that are expensive,
difficult to implement, and a poor fit for their needs. The SonicWALL
family of Internet appliances is designed to address the security
requirements of the majority.
“A cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized companies is an
all-in-one security box that is affordable and secure without
unneeded complexity,” said Chris Christiansen, director of IDC’s
Internet security. “Security appliance vendors such as Sonic Systems
are filling this gap.”
“SonicWALL PRO is a natural extension of the SonicWALL family,
offering much higher performance while retaining its ease-of-use
characteristics,” said Sreekanth Ravi, president and CEO of Sonic
Systems. “This makes it possible for distributed organizations which
have large and small branch offices to standardize on the SonicWALL
family to enjoy the robust security, reliability, and low cost that
have made the original SonicWALL so successful.”
The SonicWALL family of Internet security appliances protects
Internet-connected networks from hackers and vandals, preventing
theft, destruction, and manipulation of critical data. All members of
the SonicWALL family offer International Computer Security
Association (ICSA)-certified stateful packet inspection firewalling,
Denial of Service (DoS) attack prevention, Network Address
Translation (NAT), IPSec VPN, content filtering of objectionable Web
sites and newsgroups, as well as the ability to block potentially
damaging Java applets and ActiveX controls. With its Web
browser-based management interface and hardware plug-and-play design,
SonicWALL is ideally suited for the Internet security needs of K-12
schools and small-to-medium size business networks.
About SonicWALL PRO
With the introduction of SonicWALL PRO, Sonic Systems now extends its
product line to fit the security requirements of branch offices and
large, single-site networks — offering higher performance Internet
security, IPSec VPN, and content filtering. SonicWALL PRO is platform
independent, easy-to-install and requires no security or networking
expertise. Once installed, it runs quietly and can be securely
managed via Web browser.
Firewalling – SonicWALL uses stateful packet inspection to protect
the private LAN from hackers and vandals on the Internet and is
pre-configured to automatically detect and thwart Denial of Service
(DoS) attacks, which disable a device or network so users no longer
have access to network resources. SonicWALL also supports Network
Address Translation (NAT), which allows companies to use private
addresses for security and easier address management.
IPSec VPN – SonicWALL VPN is included to provide an easy,
affordable, and secure means for businesses to connect all offices,
partners, and remote users together. Encryption methods include 168
bit Data Encryption Standard (Triple-DES), 56 bit Data Encryption
Standard (DES), and 56 bit ARCFour (ARC4). Using data encryption and
the Internet, SonicWALL VPN provides secure communications between
multiple sites or hundreds of remote users.
Internet Content Filtering – Content filtering allows businesses
and schools to create and enforce Internet access policies tailored
to the needs of the organization. The administrator selects
categories to block or monitor, such as pornography or racial
intolerance, from a pre-defined list. SonicWALL PRO can also protect
users from potentially damaging active Web content, such as Java and
ActiveX, which may be used to steal or damage data.
High Performance Hardware – Utilizing a 233MHz Intel StrongARM RISC
microprocessor, SonicWALL PRO will meet the needs of the largest
networks. Auto-switching 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet ports provide
connectivity for both Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks. An
industry-standard PCI slot accepts an optional VPN Accelerator card
for high-bandwidth VPN applications, such as a 45 Mbps T-3 connection
between corporate offices.
Price and Availability
SonicWALL PRO is priced at $2,995 and will be available in April 1999
from authorized Sonic Systems resellers. Contact Sonic Systems at
(408) 844-9900 for more information.
About Sonic Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1991, Sonic Systems is a provider of Internet security for
small to medium size companies. Sonic Systems designs, manufactures
and markets easy-to-use and affordable Internet security appliances
which provide security, Virtual Private Networking, and content
filtering of objectionable Web sites. All Sonic Internet security
appliances are managed via an intuitive Web browser interface. A
privately held corporation, Sonic Systems is headquartered in Santa
Clara, Calif. For more information, contact Sonic Systems at (408)
844-9900 or visit the Sonic Systems Web site at
http://www.sonicsys.com.
Press Contacts:
Nicolet Sell/Carolyn Federman
A&R Partners
(650) 363-0982
nsell@arpartners.com
cfederman@arpartners.com
Larry Woodard
Sonic Systems, Inc.
(408) 844-9900 x803
larry@sonicsys.com