Managed Firewalls

Chances are if your firewall solution is completely in-house, the entire security  of your network could fall  on the shoulders of a few key personnel. This means  your network security could be compromised when these  administrators are not  around.

A  state-of-the-art security system is your company's first line of defence against  intruders and viruses.  With your business operating  safely behind an Whitehelm  managed firewall, you can concentrate on your core activities without security fears. We will source and  install the security industry's most sophisticated equipment at your site and connect it with an encrypted tunnel  to our Operations Centre  for monitoring.

Developing and maintaining your own network security team can  prove to be very costly.  You'll need up-to-date  hardware and software, and a specialised security team to provide 24x7 monitoring  of your network.

There  are alternatives. Whitehelm's managed firewall offerings:-

These  security solutions will save your company time,  money, and peace of mind. Our security experts provide monitoring and network administration. They monitor firewalls around-the-clock,  update hardware and software, generate usage reports,  and perform routine account maintenance. Best of all,  if a problem arises, they are available to help.

Cisco Pix

The  Cisco Secure PIX Firewall is the dedicated firewall  appliance in Cisco's firewall family and holds the top ranking in both market share and performance. The Cisco Secure PIX Firewall  delivers strong security  and, with market-leading  performance, creates little  to no network performance impact. The product line enforces secure access between an internal network and Internet, extranet,  or intranet links.' (Cisco)

Cisco  Secure PIX firewalls are  configured incorrectly  and insecurely, due to  a number of factors:

• The  lack of a trained Cisco security expert on staff;
   
• 'Default'  installations by network  suppliers;
• Configurations modified over time without necessary expertise, planning or documentation.

In addition, for many organisations,  it is simply not cost-effective to employ a certified Cisco  PIX expert full-time.

As Cisco Systems Premier Business Partners Oxstad Ltd. employs certified PIX advanced security specialists that  will review your network  infrastructure with you,  help you select an appropriate  security model, and configure the PIX to your exact requirements, as defined in your security  policy.

Whitehelm`s  Cisco Pix Management System.

The  Whitehelm Secure PIX Management System is a Linux based  server (available as a  midi-tower, or rackmount),  that is connected to the PIX firewall via network and serial connections.  This allows Whitehelm to  securely monitor and manage the PIX firewall remotely  via an encrypted Internet connection. Logs are accessible  via an SSL web based management system in raw and pre-formatted  readable formats.

Whitehelm`s  PIX Firewall Management Systems provide a number of benefits over a standard  PIX firewall set-up:

• Firstly, Whitehelm monitor your security, reviewing attempted  intrusions and analysing  the operation of your firewall. Your PIX logs  straight to our management  system as opposed to  it's own memory. The  PIX itself can only hold  100 log entries, which  are stored on a first in first out basis (FIFO). This allows a hacker to cover their tracks by creating a flood of erroneous log entries, overwriting any evidence of their attack. The Whitehelm system provides  a huge secure log storage and archive, which prevents  this kind of attack.
   
• Secondly,  the management system comes equipped with a  modem connection. In  the event of loss of  Internet access Whitehelm can still connect via  the modem and either  correct the problem remotely, or diagnose the fault  and call Cisco out to repair or replace it,  under any vendor support  contract that you have  in place. If the PIX  needs repairing, then Whitehelm can usually reconfigure  it remotely, saving you the cost of an on site visit.
   
• Thirdly, As a Cisco Systems Business  Partner we can manage your support agreements  directly with Cisco.  This means you can report  any problems you have with your PIX firewall to Whitehelm, and we can then take the necessary  action; whether that  be connecting to the  management machine and  fixing the problem via  the console port, or contacting Cisco directly  to get the device repaired  or replaced. For more long-term performance  or configuration issues, we can set up a Technical  Assistance Centre (TAC) case, liasing with Cisco engineers to solve any problems.

The  Whitehelm PIX management  system allows you the full  benefit of an expertly  managed PIX firewall at a fraction of the cost of employing the necessary in-house expertise

WatchGuard

Whitehelm  Secure WatchGuard is best suited for small and medium  businesses on a more modest annual security budget.  If you simply need to monitor the integrity of basic traffic through your network,  this is your best option.

Standard Whitehelm Secure WatchGuard  service includes:

• WatchGuard Firebox II - hardware  that implements your  security policies and protection
• The  choice of a standard  security policies
• Proactive  monitoring of your network, 24 hours per day, seven  days per week
• Secure,  easy-to-use, Web-based  interface
• Firebox-to-Firebox Virtual Private Network  (VPN) using WatchGuard's  proprietary encryption  URL-blocking software
• Authentication integration capabilities
• Internet traffic logging
• Logs and configuration file back ups
• Software upgrades and patches

Whitehelm Watchguard Plus

If you plan to implement your company's defined security policy with dial up remote users and a number of VPN  connections on a Watchguard platform then, you'll want Whitehelm`s Watchguard Plus. This solution is also available  for international deployment and is backed by Whitehelm`s expert design and implementation teams.

Additionally,  Whitehelm`s Gold standard service includes:

• Plug and Play installation  and configuration
• Proactive  firewall monitoring for resource utilisation
• Specialised  team to handle advanced configuration concerns
• User and group account maintenance
• Regular  back-ups stored at a  remote location
• Annual firewall security scan
• Technical  support
• Routine  hardware and software system maintenance

Outstanding technical, reporting, and administrative  support

These  services are designed to  provide you with confidence and comfort. Our solutions enable your network to be protected behind industry-leading firewalls, monitored by  experienced engineers.  Whitehelm's security team is also certified to support the Netscreen, and Check Point FireWall-1. So, when you need help, be confident  our experts have the knowledge, experience, and tools to get the job done.

Benefits of a Managed  Firewall

• Protects intellectual property, organisational know-how, and confidential communications
• Proactively  identify and fixes network  security vulnerabilities  before network break-ins  occur
• Verifies the identifies of remote users to prevent hacker  attacks
• Operations and maintenance handled  by Whitehelm Network Security Ltd.
• Far  more cost effective than  maintaining the relevant  security expertise in house.
• Whitehelm  keep up to date with  the latest vulnerabilities  and security threats, allowing you to concentrate  on your core business.

Please call 0870 421 4023 to find out more about  managed firewalls, or e-mail managedfwall@Whitehelm.com requesting more information.