Colubris Networks, a global provider of intelligent Wi-Fi wireless networking devices for operators of large public and enterprise networks, is teaming with RSA Security (NASDAQ: RSAS) to create a robust Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) security solution for enterprises.
The integrated solution combines Colubris Networks’ award-winning CN1050 and CN1054 Wi-Fi access devices – the first 802.11 intelligent access points in the industry with embedded VPN data encryption technology – with RSA SecurID® two-factor authentication software and RSA Keon® digital certificate management software. As a result, RSA Security’s customers worldwide that use RSA SecurID to authenticate their VPN users can now leverage this common approach to authenticate and secure their wireless users as well. This enables enterprises to dramatically reduce deployment costs, provide a simple and seamless user experience and consistently adhere to the highest security standards in the industry.
RSA Secured® certification ensures the companies’ mutual customers that RSA Security and Colubris Networks products interoperate to deliver reliable, robust security solutions. More than 400 organizations worldwide deploy Colubris Networks equipment, including Telecom Italia, NTT-ME, McGill University, Bangkok International Airport, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and three of the world’s largest hotel chains.
“We are extremely pleased with the addition of Colubris Networks, a leader in the field of secure wireless networking, to our RSA Secured Partner Program,” said Stuart Cohen, director of partner development at RSA Security. “With the unprecedented growth in wireless networking, companies must maintain secure access to vital information and applications. The strategic partnership between Colubris Networks and RSA Security means that customers can reap the benefits of our integrated solution when deploying WLANs, while reducing the risk of exposing mission-critical data and resources to unauthorized access.”
The RSA Secured Certification is the latest in a series of Colubris Networks’ certifications that demonstrate its continued leadership in wireless security. The company recently announced that its CN1050 and CN1054 products are the first intelligent Wi-Fi access points to achieve FIPS 140-2 certification. This allows federal, state and municipal agencies requiring adherence to FIPS – notably government agencies in the U.S. and Canada – to quickly and cost-effectively deploy and manage secure 802.11-based WLANs.
“We chose to team with RSA Security because its two-factor authentication and digital certificate management software provides the perfect complement to the security features embedded in the Colubris Networks product line,” said Jim Ciociolo, vice president of business development and carrier sales at Colubris Networks. “This seamless solution, along with our partner certification, ensures that mutual customers benefit from the industry’s highest standards in WLAN identity and access management when deploying secure Wi-Fi networks.”
Security is a fundamental requirement for companies evaluating and deploying WLAN technology, since vital information and applications must remain secure regardless of whether accessed via wireless or wireline media. According to leading research firm Gartner, the number of WLAN users in North America is anticipated to expand from 4.2 million in 2003 to 31 million in 2007. This substantial growth underscores the need for highly interoperable, secure and efficient authentication solutions.
As part of the RSA Secured Partner Program, Colubris Networks’ CN1050 and CN1054 wireless access devices have been certified as RSA SecurID Ready and RSA Keon Ready, signaling their interoperability with RSA Security’s authentication technology and digital certificate software. The partnership between Colubris Networks and RSA Security helps companies efficiently and cost-effectively manage the digital identities of diverse user bases – including employees, partners and customers – utilizing WLAN access.
With the addition of RSA Security technology, Colubris Networks’ family of WLAN solutions offers comprehensive support for popular security technology available in the industry. This includes onboard IPSec termination, support for 802.1X authentication and X.509 digital certificate authentication. The strong security tools included in Colubris Networks’ solutions provide a robust and highly scalable wireless security infrastructure that enables enterprises and service providers to deploy WLANs with confidence.
About the RSA Secured Partner Program
The RSA Secured Partner Program is one of the oldest and largest alliance programs of its type, bringing more than ten years of experience and hundreds of complementary solutions together. The RSA SecurID, RSA ClearTrust and RSA Keon Ready certification programs bring added assurance to customers that the solutions they are deploying are certified as interoperable with industry leading products, helping them achieve faster time to deployment and lower overall cost of ownership. The program reflects RSA Security’s commitment to providing standards-based interoperability and mutual vendor support to customers using RSA Security’s Web access management, two-factor authentication, digital certificate management or encryption solutions.
About Colubris Networks
Colubris Networks is a global leader in providing highly secure, manageable and cost-effective Wireless LAN solutions for enterprise networks and carrier deployments. Its award-winning Wi-Fi certified product family of purpose-built enterprise and public access offerings seamlessly integrates into existing customer networks, providing maximum cost-effectiveness and management simplicity. Colubris Networks embeds strong tools such as Virtual Private Networking, enhanced security and firewall technologies into its open, industry-standard solutions. Colubris Networks’ products are deployed by more than 400 organizations worldwide, including Telecom Italia, NTT-ME, McGill University, Bangkok International Airport, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and three of the world’s largest hotel chains. The company’s strategic business and technology partners include ADC, Alcatel, Juniper Networks, RSA Security, Funk Software, Micromuse, and a worldwide network of value-added-resellers and systems integrators. For more information visit the company at www.colubris.com or contact us at info@colubris.com.
