Infotech Lead Asia: To help secure applications and data in Microsoft’s Windows Azure cloud, WatchGuard Technologies has unveiled Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution for Windows Azure.
Windows Azure currently accounts for 20 percent of the cloud computing market, and Forrester Research recently predicted this share is expected to grow to 35 percent within the year. In April, Microsoft also slashed the price of Windows Azure Virtual Machines by up to 25 percent. This also contributed for the growth of the cloud platform.
Security has been a growing concern in cloud deployments. With a vast number of sensitive data, applications and services deployed in cloud, secure access of data becomes paramount. WatchGuard’s comprehensive and multi-layered defense provides security across network, e-mail, Web and different types of content.
David Aiken, group product marketing manager, Windows Azure, Microsoft, says WatchGuard’s unified threat management platform helps customers extend on-premises datacenters to the cloud while assuring secure access.
WatchGuard XTM security appliances now offer full support for VPN access to the Windows Azure Virtual Network service allowing organizations to quickly and easily create secure VPN tunnels linking on-premise networks and cloud environments.
WatchGuard cloud security solution combines existing Microsoft Hyper-V support (Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Hyper-V Server 2008 R2, and Hyper-V Server 2012) and ensures secure and seamless data access across public cloud, private network and virtualized IT environments.
WatchGuard recently introduced WatchGuard XCS 880 to deliver e-mail and Web-based content security needs of large enterprises. The XCS 880 protects against inbound threats such as virus, blended threats and network attacks, while helping control outbound information to prevent data loss, the company said.
