Astaro Rolls Out Version 7 of Its Award-Winning Security Gateway UTM Product

BURLINGTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 31, 2007 -- Further strengthening its leadership position in perimeter security and Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, Astaro Corporation today announced version 7 of its Astaro Security Gateway, representing seven years of advanced technology development, customer feedback, end-user suggestions and current marketplace demands.

The full line of Astaro Security Gateways protect computer networks from a variety of threats including viruses, hackers, spam, spyware, phishing, and unauthorized content.

"Version 7 contains a number of advanced features and enhancements that our 30,000 network users and reseller channel partners have been anticipating," said Jan Hichert, Astaro CEO. "Among these are transparent e-mail encryption, SSL VPN, active/active clustering and safeguards for the uncontrolled flood of unsecured instant messaging traffic and peer-to-peer file sharing traffic."

The Astaro Security Gateway integrates a complete set of security technologies that comprise a mix of best of breed, open source and commercial software covering all aspects of security including e-mail security (anti spam, anti phishing, dual virus protection for e-mail, transparent encryption), web filtering (content filtering, anti virus for the Web, anti spyware, and IM & P2P control), and network protection (firewall, remote access & VPN, and intrusion protection).

Transparent Email Encryption/Decryption

Astaro's centralized email encryption strategy offers complete transparency to end users with the added benefit that no additional encryption software is required on the client side.

Astaro's version 7 enables the encryption, decryption and digital signature of emails, based on S/MIME and OpenPGP standards. Defined user groups or individual users can automatically encrypt and/or sign their emails through a central email encryption inside the Astaro gateway before sending them. Inbound email is automatically decrypted. And because of the nature of UTM, both incoming and outgoing email is verified and forwarded through virus and content scanners before users open it.

Secure Remote Access via SSL VPN

Version 7 also introduces SSL VPN through the enhancement of existing remote access protocols such as IPSec, L2TP over IPSec, and PPTP tunneling with SSL VPN. The Astaro gateway is the only UTM appliance on the market with such a degree of VPN and remote access solutions.

Scalability via Clustering

For large multi-user enterprise environments, Astaro developed a unique brand of Active/Active Clustering that enables the load distribution for as many as 10 Astaro Security Gateways, eliminating the need to install additional load balancers. This patent-pending technology increases the speed and reliability of network traffic.

Availability

The Astaro Security Gateway version 7 is available immediately. Customers can download the software appliance directly from www.astaro.com. It will also ship with Astaro's full range of hardware appliances.

About Astaro

Astaro Corporation is headquartered in Burlington, Mass. and Karlsruhe, Germany. The Astaro Security Gateway has won numerous industry awards and is protecting over 30,000 networks in 60 countries, including such companies as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Los Alamos National Labs, Stanford University and Watsco, Inc. Astaro products are distributed by a worldwide network of more than 1,000 solutions partners who offer local support and services. Visit www.astaro.com.

Contact Information: Press Contact: Victor Cruz Tel. (508) 655-4397 pr@astaro.com