To meet the growing need for advanced security beyond the enterprise perimeter, 3Com today announced the new 3Com® X-Family Unified Security Platforms. The X-Family, which comprises the X5 and X506 products, is the first solution to offer integrated security built on network-based intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and integrated with VPN, Firewall, web content filtering and traffic shaping capabilities in a managed solution specifically for small businesses (SMBs) and medium-sized organizations that need enterprise-class security combined with ease of installation and use.
Differentiated by industry-leading IPS integrated with other key security functions, the 3Com X-Family delivers unprecedented threat protection. It helps to ensure business continuity by preventing disruptions that could result in revenue loss and security breaches that might damage an organization’s reputation. Customers also benefit from the reduced financial and ongoing management burden of implementing and maintaining multiple point solutions.
The 3Com X-Family helps organizations operate efficiently as well as securely. The X5 and X506 combine market-leading security with traffic shaping and application prioritization, making them ideal for distributed networks that are deploying Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and require Quality of Service (QoS) for mission-critical traffic. The integrated bandwidth management capabilities maximize network resources and reclaim bandwidth by prioritizing voice or video traffic while throttling back non-essential traffic e.g. peer-to-peer file sharing.
Both the X5 and X506 offer IPS capabilities with VPN support, a stateful packet inspection firewall, application bandwidth management and audio/video IP multicast to deliver a unified solution for every network. With 18Mbps throughput, the X5 is ideal for single site SMBs and branch offices with up to 100 employees. The X506 delivers 50Mbps of throughput, which makes it ideal for medium enterprises and regional branch offices with more than 100 employees. The X-Family’s unified security capabilities protect against worms, viruses, Trojans, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, Spyware, Phishing, VoIP threats and other attacks. Additionally, available Web content filtering increases employee productivity and enforces Web usage policies by prohibiting the download of non-work related Web sites and offensive or illegal Web content.
“Enterprise organizations have paid a great deal of attention to securing the core of their networks while leaving branch locations and teleworkers largely exposed to security threats. Additionally, SMBs and mid-sized organizations have not had the opportunity to deploy IPS to protect their networks,” says Hamed Diab, General Manager, 3Com Middle East. “The X-Family fills these gaps by delivering comprehensive security and business optimization tools in a unified device that is tightly integrated with the network, which is essential when IT resources are limited.”
To protect against ever-increasing threats and Zero Day vulnerabilities, the X5 and X506 leverage the same TippingPoint Digital Vaccine® subscription, Threat Suppression Engine and Security Management System as the rest of the proven TippingPoint portfolio. The Digital Vaccine service delivers comprehensive security filters, updated in real time, without compromising network performance. With the X-Family and the Digital Vaccine service, SMBs and mid-sized companies now have access to IPS and automated, real-time security filters at an affordable price, which previously were too expensive or required manual download and updates.
For organizations managing multiple locations, the optional 3Com Security Management System (SMS) offers centralized management and administrative capabilities. With SMS, administrators can create IPS and firewall profiles, implement VPNs, manage bandwidth, set content filters and perform other tasks from a central office or headquarters and push them out to remote branch offices and teleworkers.
“Organizations are faced with increasing attacks, while IT staffs don’t have the resources and budget to implement multiple security appliances to protect against every threat,” said Hamed Diab, General Manager, 3Com Middle East. “Our customers, many of them relying on VoIP for their business-critical communications with customers, partners and employees, demand a reliable and optimized IP network. The 3Com X-Family gives them the flexibility and assurance of multiple security solutions in a single unit to keep their network infrastructure secure and communications flowing.”
The education sector, where ever-increasing threats like spyware and phishing, coupled with compliance requirements, demand an advanced security solution to protect data against external and internal threats, can particularly benefit from using the 3Com X-Family. The X-Family delivers IPS with security and network optimization solutions such as VPN and QoS for voice traffic,to deliver a comprehensive solution that is tightly integrated with the network. “With the X-Family, you don’t have to install a client on every PC or manage multiple appliances to get the same functionality, which means the school can stay focused on supporting students and teachers, while knowing their important data is protected,” says Hamed Diab, General Manager, 3Com Middle East.
When combined with 3Com switches, the X5 and X506 offer quarantine protection to mitigate the most dangerous security threats, which often emanate from within the corporate network, including worms from traveling laptops and visitor/guest PCs, or installation of unapproved applications such as peer-to-peer file sharing that can carry spyware. X5 and X506 devices configured with SMS can automatically remove an infected PC from the network, or “move” the PC into a quarantine VLAN where it can be safely repaired before being allowed back on the network.
Pricing and Availability
3Com’s X5 and X506 Unified Security Platforms are currently globally available. The X5 is available in two models: 25 user and unlimited users, with pricing starting at $995 and $1,195 respectively. The rack-mount X506 supports unlimited users, with pricing starting at $3,995. A subscription to Digital Vaccine or Digital Vaccine Gold is required with the purchase of either platform.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection. 3Com also owns H3C Technologies Co., Limited (H3C), a China-based provider of network infrastructure products. H3C brings innovative and cost-effective product development and manufacturing and a strong footprint in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.
