WGRD Watchguard Technologies

Latest in new line of advanced e-Series security platforms offers additional network configurability and traffic prioritization features WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD), a leading provider of network security solutions, today launched its Firebox X Edge e-Series integrated security appliances. Designed for remote or branch offices and small businesses, the new wired and wireless Firebox X Edge platforms extend ease of use and strong security by adding advanced networking and dynamic quality of service (QoS) support. The new Firebox X Edge e-Series features inter-office traffic prioritization and bandwidth management to ensure traffic is handled based on its business criticality. Unlike conventional implementations, WatchGuard's QoS functionality is dynamic, allowing full bandwidth utilization and maximizing throughput performance. When deployed in a remote or branch office, the Firebox X Edge configurations can be centrally and remotely managed, using WatchGuard System Manager, to ensure security policies are uniform across multiple locations. In addition, WatchGuard's unique drag and drop VPN creation capabilities simplify setup and reduce maintenance time for the branch office connections. With enhanced configurability, the new Firebox X Edge appliances give small businesses the ability to do more with their network. Using the advanced NAT functionality and support for multiple external IP addresses, users can map targeted inbound traffic to designated computing resources. Providing managed traffic flow without compromising security or usability allows small businesses to grant external users, such as suppliers, controlled access to specific internal resources without revealing the rest of their network. The Firebox X Edge uses an intuitive Web User Interface for fast, out-of-the box device deployment. The latest Firebox X Edge e-Series appliances integrate WatchGuard's proven Edge security features with an easily managed hardware platform that delivers 100 Mbps firewall and 35 Mbps VPN throughputs. It includes WatchGuard's URL filtering service, WebBlocker, which helps prevent legal liability and increase employee productivity, as well as protect against malicious attacks from rogue Web sites. Firebox X Edge appliances are model upgradeable and expandable, and WatchGuard's industry-leading LiveSecurity service ensures customers are further protected from security breaches with a renewable suite of upgrade, support and security alert services. "The launch of Firebox X Edge e-Series provides small central offices, and remote and branch offices with a comprehensive, high-performance security solution to increase worker productivity," said Allison Armstrong, WatchGuard director of product management. "With centralized network management, traffic prioritization, strong security and easy deployment, the Firebox X Edge helps reduce IT administration while protecting branch and small offices." This Firebox X Edge completes the company's line of Firebox X e-Series solutions, refreshing the entire product line with new hardware platforms and enhancements that demonstrate WatchGuard's commitment to meeting the network security needs of the SMB. The full line of WatchGuard Firebox X e-Series solutions have been redesigned to meet the stringent European Union RoHS and WEEE environmental requirements required to sell new electronic hardware in the EU. WatchGuard's Firebox X Edge line provides comprehensive security, integrating stateful packet firewall, VPN and URL filtering for robust network security in a high value package. WatchGuard also offers the Firebox X Core and Peak Unified Threat Management solutions with true Zero Day protection against blended network attacks and a secure remote access solution. The company's Firebox SSL VPN Gateway additionally provides dependable, secure access from anywhere, anytime, with no complex reconfiguration, custom application connectors or development work. Pricing and Availability The new WatchGuard Firebox X Edge e-Series integrated security appliances start at $480 (US MSRP) for the wired model and $580 (US MSRP) for the wireless version. The new solutions are expected to be available through WatchGuard resellers worldwide on June 29. About WatchGuard WatchGuard provides network security. The company's Firebox X family of upgradeable appliances delivers the performance, functionality and security strength to meet the needs of organizations of any size. WatchGuard's Intelligent Layered Security protects against emerging threats and provides the platform to integrate additional services offered by the company. All WatchGuard products include a LiveSecurity Service subscription for vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction, as well as individualized and self-help customer care. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com. Certain statements in this press release, including statements about expected new products, services, features or functionality and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk that expected new products, services, features or functionality are not available when expected or at all and the other risks described under "Risk Factors" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, and in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.