| 3Com Unveils Pervasive Network Security Strategy to Create Integrative Secure Networks |
| 3Com Integrates Security Directly into Network Infrastructure, Adding Multiple Layers of Security and Reducing Complexity and Management Time and Costs; Many 3Com® Networking Products Already Deliver On Pervasive Network Security Strategy |
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MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 15, 2003 — 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today announced its strategy to deliver integrative secure networks for its small, medium and large enterprise customers by overlaying key security technologies into hardware, software and operational components that define the network. Previously, security has been a segregated, band-aid approach with no common, unifying management system. Consequently, enterprises' networks have been exposed to vulnerabilities at random points throughout their infrastructure. As an end-to-end networking provider, 3Com is uniquely positioned to overlay standards-based security technologies into the various elements of the network infrastructure as well as into purpose built security appliances, which are deployed at key points of vulnerability across the network. These security overlays include: Layer 2-7 firewall, virtual private network (VPN), authentication, authorization, intrusion detection system and intrusion prevention systems (IPS), anti-virus, security management, and policy. These architectural overlays and security services will be developed both internally and via strategic partnerships with best-of-breed security vendors. These security overlays will be integrated across 3Com's networking portfolio with a particular emphasis on convergence and technology re-use. This dual approach, of both purpose built security appliances and traditional networking technology infused with security overlays, creates a pervasive network security that allows customers of all sizes to better infuse security into their existing network infrastructure or to build inherently secure networks from the ground up. "Security must permeate the entire network, not just at key points -- which tends to leave much of the network and its various points of connection unguarded and untouched," said Anik Bose, 3Com vice president of corporate business development and strategy. "Furthermore, key points of vulnerability and threats that have multiple means of propagation require an integrated response from more than one type of security technology, in essence requiring a multi-layered protection." 3Com's strategy is to meet the needs of enterprise customers by providing the lowest cost of operations for secure extended networks supporting today's business models, which are easy to deploy, monitor and manage while being transparent to the end user, according to Bose. "By integrating various security overlays throughout the hardware and software that define, operate and manage the network, 3Com is moving well beyond being a provider of point products that reside as network add-ons to a being a provider of a security framework that is the network," Bose said. "3Com is truly creating Pervasive Network Security." "Network Security is an increasingly vital component of running a viable business. Consequently, networking vendors are expanding into the security arena through internal development, acquisition or key partnerships," said Matthew Kovar, CFA, director, Security Solutions & Services at The Yankee Group. "3Com's approach and its understanding of customers end-to-end needs to Pervasive Network Security is well ahead of the growing trend to integrate security technologies into traditional networking hardware and software. This approach should yield integrative secure networks and makes sense from a financial perspective because it reduces the management and implementation costs associated with trying to integrate point security technologies into the network." Delivering an Integrated Approach to Security Now: Examples of a 3Com Pervasive Network Security Strategy 3Com has been implementing its strategy of Pervasive Network Security by delivering networking hardware and management software with built-in security functionality. While the product line will continue to expand and evolve with security overlays, it will dramatically change and expand over time existing products that support a 3Com pervasive network security infrastructure include both traditional networking solutions and purpose built security appliances. Security Enabled Networking Equipment 3Com® SuperStack® 3 Switch 4400 with Security Enhancements The latest software release for the SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 family (version 3.0) adds Network Login 802.1x support, further enhancing network security in the wiring closet and making it possible to authenticate every user prior to accessing secure resources on the network. 3Com Network Supervisor Advanced Package A powerful yet easy-to-use management application that graphically discovers, maps, and displays network links and IP services. Security features include support for 802.1x network login, identification of remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) servers and virtual local area network (VLAN) support. Once authenticated, 3Com Network Supervisor Advanced Package can track and identify each user, including which switch they are connected to, allowing network administrators to efficiently track down user-based problems and potential hackers. 3Com NJ200 Network Jack This innovative "in-the-wall" managed Ethernet switch easily quadruples local area network (LAN) infrastructure connections. Four switched ports and up to two pass-through ports connect a variety of devices via one wall outlet. Security features include wall-mounted case, traffic monitoring, simple network management protocol (SNMP) traps, location mapping, and port-assigned VLANs. Management graphical user interfaces (GUIs) offer fine control of a single port, as well as bulk administration for a group of network jacks. When combined with the location mapping feature that remotely locates any device on the network connected via a 3Com Network Jack, a network administrator could locate a device that has been hacked, disable the device by cutting off its power via the Network Jack's Power over Ethernet functionality and know exactly where to go to physically retrieve the device, if necessary, for repair. 3Com Tri-Mode 802.11a/b/g Wireless Access Points and Client Adapters With wireless LAN security being significantly enhanced by the efforts of multiple standards organization and by new advanced security protocols, such as Wi-Fi protected asset (WPA), advanced encryption system (AES) and 802.1x, the breadth of 3Com 802.11a/b/g portfolio provides customers with a highly secure and flexible wireless LAN solution. Purpose Built Security Appliances Embedded Firewalls The 3Com® Embedded Firewall solutions are host-based firewalls embedded onto PCI cards for desktops and servers and personal computer (PC) cards for laptops. These tamper-resistant hardware firewalls allow information technology (IT) managers to deploy a company-wide, policy-based client and server security scheme. The unique combination of firewall hardware and centralized policy management deters attacks and helps prevent intrusions from both inside and outside the perimeter of the network in desktop, server and notebook PC, augmenting wiring closet security and perimeter firewalls to deliver 'defense-in-depth' network security. Furthermore, the Embedded Firewall solutions prevents the server from being used as a "hop off" point to infect other servers, and enhances intrusion detection system (IDS) into expert intrusion analyst and reduces false positives. 3Com Security Switch 6200 The new 3Com Security Switch 6200 delivers a cost-effective, no-compromise enterprise-class security services switch capable of addressing specific vulnerabilities or blended threats. The high-performance security platform supports multiple proven applications-such as Check Point NG FireWall-1®/VPN-1®, Internet Security Systems (ISS) RealSecure® intrusion detection, antivirus, content filtering, and more. [See separate news release issued today by 3Com entitled, "3Com Security Switch 6200 Delivers Enterprise-Strength Security, Scalability, Higher Performance for Medium and Large Business."] The 3Com Security Switch 6200 is a result of a original equipment manufacturer agreement announced Nov. 3, 2003 between 3Com and Crossbeam Systems®, Inc., a leading global developer of total security solutions. "As part of our pervasive security strategy, we evaluated a number of options that ultimately led us to working with best-of-breed vendors such as Crossbeam Systems," Bose said. "Crossbeam is a crucial piece of our security portfolio, as it extends our product line to support larger enterprises and helps us quickly capitalize on the industry's migration to integrated security solutions." 3Com SuperStack® 3 Firewall The SuperStack 3 Firewall is an ICSA-certified, high-performance, highly secure perimeter firewall and VPN solution that offers maximum protection at an affordable price. Recent security enhancements include support for native Microsoft L2TP/IPSec VPN clients, outbound bandwidth shaping, x.509 Digital Certificate support, dual security zones to physically segregate networks, and an internal authentication database. 3Com OfficeConnect® Firewalls (new products are OC VPN Firewall and OC Secure Router) The 3Com OfficeConnect VPN Firewall and the OfficeConnect Secure Router, a small office/home office (SOHO) router, are for smaller offices that utilize broadband connections (cable or digital subscriber line) or already have wide area network (WAN) service in place. These locations typically don't require as many features (such as Internet Protocol multicast and Quality of Service) as the Router 3000 family offers, but need an easy-to-use, plug-n-play security device to ensure data protection while conducting business through WAN connections to customers, partners, suppliers and other constituents. About 3Com 3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value voice and data networking products and solutions for enterprises of all sizes and public sector organizations. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox. 3Com, SuperStack, OfficeConnect and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective holders. |
| This press release was accurate at the time it was issued but may not reflect 3Com's current strategy or product offering. |
