A wireless network in the office can improve productivity, create a more flexible work environment and save money, which is why more and more SMBs are going wireless.
Remember though, that just like its hard-wired cousin, a wireless network needs to be kept secure. Check Point, a Redwood City, Calif.-company today announced the Safe@Office 400W, an all-in-one wireless network security appliance designed for SMBs with one to 100 employees.
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Wireless Security: Check Point’s Safe@Home 400W offers SMBs VPN and firewall capabilities while providing a secure wireless environment. |
Checkpoint’s been providing enterprise-level security products to Fortune 100 companies for the past 10 years. According to Ted Yeuh, Checkpoint’s small business marketing manager, the Safe@Office 400W is based on the same technology.
“Check Point is the defacto market leader. All of the Fortune 100 companies have deployed at least one of our security products,” he said. “We use the same VPN and firewall technology in the Safe@Office 400W.”
Yeuh said the company wanted to make wireless security simple, affordable and easy to use for SMBs. “We’ve taken this enterprise-level technology and turned it into an appliance that’s cost-effective and easy to deploy,” said Yeuh.
“The box uses a simple wizard-based installation process so that you don’t have to be a security expert to set it up. For example, to determine what security level you want, you simply choose high, medium or low (medium is the default setting). The settings eliminate configuration errors.”
Safe@Office
Last year, Check Point introduced a Safe@Office product that was designed for wired networks. Like it’s predecessor, the Safe@Office 400W provides firewall protection, shared broadband and VPN capabilities.
As for wireless capability, the 400W includes an 802.11b/g access point that runs at speeds of up to 108 Mbps. Check Point claims that’s twice the speed of standard 802.11b/g (which is 54Mbps). The company also says that the 400W provides a range that’s up to three times the size of a standard access point.
In addition, you have the option to use a pair of 400Ws as a backup alternative should your primary ISP fail — so you don’t lose your Internet connection.
Benefits And Features
- Wireless Flexibility — Secure, mobile access to network data from anywhere in the office without the cost of running wires
- Affordability — share broadband connections via the integrated wireless access point or 4 switch LAN ports
- Ease-of-Use — quick setup and hassle-free management, get wireless security up-and-running in a matter of minutes
- Seamless Business Operations — Multiple failover capabilities to ensure that both wired and wireless networks are operating at all times
- Security Services — access to additional security services including e-mail anti-virus, URL filtering, dynamic DNS, reporting and security updates
- Shared Printer Access — turn any USB printer into a network printer
Pricing and Model Features
You can also buy the Safe@Office 400W direct from Check Point. Here’s how it all breaks down:
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Purchasing Options
According to Yeuh, Check Point offers two options for buying the 400W. “SMBs that lack the internal staff to install and maintain a network security appliance can choose to buy the product as a managed service from a either VAR or an ISP. You can use Check Point’s Partner Locator to find a VAR or ISP near you.”
Lauren Simonds is the managing editor of SmallBusinessComputing.com
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