Check Point^® Software Technologies Ltd., the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced Connectra^™ NGX R66, the only remote access gateway to combine SSL VPN, IPSec VPN and intrusion prevention with centralized management. The new release of Connectra provides enterprises the most secure connectivity that is easy for employees to use and simple for security administrators to deploy and manage.

Whether it is from a company-owned laptop, public computer or Internet kiosk, Check Point Connectra NGX R66 makes accessing the corporate network more secure and less cumbersome. Connectra NGX R66 leverages an enterprise's existing virtual private network (VPN) infrastructure allowing employees to connect from managed laptops using a traditional IPSec connection. Connectra NGX R66 also combines SSL technology, so employees can access the network through the Internet browser of an unmanaged public computer or Internet kiosk. To ensure infected computers or kiosks do not pass threats onto the corporate network, Connectra NGX R66 utilizes integrated intrusion prevention and comprehensive endpoint security to block viruses, malware and malicious attacks.

"Today's work environment requires users to access corporate networks from a variety of devices, some managed and some unmanaged," said Dr. Dorit Dor, vice president of products at Check Point. "Businesses must deal with the pressure of securing all corporate information while making it accessible anytime and from anywhere. Connectra NGX R66 provides to both end-users and security administrators the high level of security needed as well as the simplicity of use and deployment known from Check Point security solutions."

To improve the end-user experience, Connectra NGX R66 allows uninterrupted connectivity when roaming between wireless networks. Connectra NGX R66 also includes DynamicID^™ making it the first and only SSL VPN solution to send authentication codes to end-users via text message without the need of a dedicated authentication server, eliminating the need for employees to carry easily lost Smartcards and tokens.

"Connectra NGX R66 allows Akibia to roll out both SSL and IPSEC remote access to our users with ease," said Rick Onorato, director of information technology, at Akibia. "The Connectra SSL VPN portal interface is very user friendly and intuitive, which from an IT services perspective, allows Akibia to distribute remote access by simply delivering a URL to the end user. In addition to granting this access, the endpoint compliance scan increases security by enforcing minimum end-user machine requirements."

Check Point Connectra NGX R66 features and benefits include:

- Combined SSL VPN, IPSec VPN and integrated intrusion prevention provides best-of-breed secure connectivity;

- Centralized management unifies policy deployment, client administration and event reporting;

- Automatic endpoint scanning prior to user authentication provides an additional level of security;

- DynamicID sends login credentials via Short Message Service (SMS) with no need of a dedicated authentication server, removing the need for Smartcards and tokens;

- Open architecture allows Connectra NGX R66 to be deployed as a turnkey appliance, software on an open-server or on a VMware Platform;

- Business Continuity License supports a large number of users in the event that an incident forces more employees than normal to work remotely.