Radavics: WatchGuard pioneered the "firewall appliance" concept to address the need for a high-performance, easy-to-use, robust Internet security solution that SMEs could afford and manage. Our Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently, and provides the flexibility to affordably upgrade and integrate additional security functionality as a business grows. This is how we help small businesses to enhance their initial security investment and realise a much lower total cost of ownership (TCO). In addition, an intuitive Web-based user interface and quick-start wizards make it easy to set up and configure. Dynamic stateful packet inspection delivers SMEs commercial-grade security that protects networks while managed desktop antivirus provides centrally managed desktop protection against known viruses, Web attacks, and WAN failover.
Radavics: Are there any benefits to be had from outsourcing IT security?
Dickinson: "Security without hassle" is a winning proposition for customers and the growing trend is for SMEs to outsource this specialist area. According to IDC this is a fast-growing global trend and it is certainly hugely popular in the local SME market, as SonicWALL has seen. Threats to network security are becoming increasingly complex, and companies need to be on security alert if their data and voice networks are to remain uncompromised. With the outsourced model they have 24x7 access to the breadth and depth of engineering specialist expertise their network requires but at a fraction of what it would cost to employ this specialist in-house.
Dickinson: How does WatchGuard feel about using Linux as its operating system now that the Fortinet GPL violations have gone to litigation?
Radavics: We have been using Linux since 1996. The WatchGuard design process releases all modifications to the operating system kernel back into the public domain. This process enables the Linux development community to scrutinise the changes we have made to ensure that the modifications are stable and reliable. The WatchGuard Firebox System software code that runs on the modified kernel remains proprietary to WatchGuard Technologies. This design approach allows WatchGuard to deploy a secure appliance over an aggressively debugged operating system at a fraction of the total cost of other network security approaches.
Radavics:
What is your opinion of the recent discussion regarding an Australian Government-sponsored IT Security Certification scheme?
Dickinson:
A minimum standard for security does make sense and can only benefit the customer. However SonicWALL believes it is important that each vendor properly trains and certifies its people because network security is so dynamic. SonicWALL certainly does this and our company has invested thousands of dollars into developing training for our engineers, end users, and partners.
Dickinson:
Does WatchGuard intend introducing a common user interface across their product line? When or why not?
Radavics: We already have a common management tool for our Firebox X range of products which our customers love. We also have a simpler Web-based interface for organisations who choose our Firebox X Edge for standalone/SOHO-type deployments. Our GUI is our strength.
Radavics:
What has been the greatest risk you have taken and what did you do to survive?
Dickinson:
It didn't seem risky at the time, but as a novice taking on the Maui surf and totally underestimating just how gnarly it was. It was a case of survive or bail so I shut my eyes, gritted my teeth, and hoped my number was not up... and thankfully, it wasn't!
Dickinson:
What keeps Sven awake at night?
Radavics:
Trying to avoid fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) among end users about IT security while trying to educate them about how crucial it is and how most businesses don't have enough.
This article was first published in Technology & Business magazine.
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no they do not, they have hacked me, said all kinds of nasty things to me, called me names,chased me all over every chat room i have been in , yahoo, pay pal,aol. it dose not matter, they hacked my phone, my life and broke into my house, sent messages threatening me,called my family everything you can think of,and got into my finaces, tapped my tel,sent blacklist sites.
vickielmeadows2000@yaho.com or meadvck@aol.com,victorialynn48@yahoo.com