Avaya increases communications security on converged enterprise networks

The Avaya Security Gateways, now available, have been designed to optimize the benefits of secure IP communications for branch offices, telecommuters, contact centres and other segments of the distributed enterprise.
The gateways reduce risk and help information technology (IT) executives address the requirements of increasingly distributed enterprises, such as supporting 24/7 communications for branch offices, enhancing capabilities for contact centre agents, and delivering headquarters-quality communications to home office workers. Each security gateway integrates virtual private network (VPN) functionality, firewall coverage and IP telephony support, providing IT executives with one centralised system that delivers secure, cost-effective communications. In combination with end-to-end support, planning and design from Avaya Global Services, the gateways are a powerful solution for protecting converged networks.

The gateways and supporting services are an integral part of the Avaya Trusted Communications Framework, the company's strategic approach to enterprise security and business continuity that enables organizations to communicate safely using any device, in any location. Security hardware and software, including VPNs, rank among the highest priority items for IT executives today, according to the Goldman Sachs IT Spending Survey, March 2003.

"Avaya's new security gateways address a core enterprise networking issue - helping enterprises secure their internal and external online transactions and communications," said Serjios El-Hage, director, Middle East, North Africa and South East Europe. "The power of IP-enabled systems and applications cannot be fully realised without assuring that workplace communications are consistently secure and the risk of compromise is low."

Avaya's family of Security Gateways meets the needs of distributed enterprises of any size. The Avaya SG203 and SG208 have been created for use in headquarters locations of medium- to large-sized businesses supporting multiple locations worldwide. The Avaya SG5 and SG5X address the demands of telecommuters, mobile workers and remote small office/home offices. The Avaya SG200 targets the specific requirements of small to medium-sized enterprises, as well as distributed branch office locations.

The Avaya Security Gateways enable businesses to extend the entire suite of Avaya MultiVantage (TM) Communications Applications - which encompasses telephony, contact centres, messaging and unified communication - to end users both external and internal. They also enhance the benefits of Avaya's flagship IP telephony software, Avaya Communication Manager, which incorporates media encryption.

To protect converged networks against external risks, the gateways provide a secure perimeter firewall that protects against Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks - security breaches that can destroy system files or force Web sites to temporarily cease operation. By integrating critical security defences, along with VPN functionality and IP telephony support, the Avaya Security Gateways help businesses safely share IP applications with third party environments.

These systems also enable remote employees and telecommuters to access headquarters-quality communications securely from any location. For example, home-based workers have a cost-effective, 'always-on' connection to their VPN, enabling secure access to advanced communications capabilities, such as six-party conferencing and speech access to corporate directories. For employees in transit, the gateways support encrypted voice and data IP communications via mobile device or laptop, allowing sensitive information (e.g. credit card data, business conversations) to travel securely over a wireless Internet connection.

"Avaya delivers communications solutions that incorporate a strong line of defence against hackers, viruses and other security threats to converged networks," said El-Hage.

"As more organisations seek to improve business results through IP telephony, we are committed to helping them evolve to the next level of communications with confidence. Avaya's new gateways accelerate that evolution."