Check Point Upgrades VPN, Firewall

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. on Monday unveiled a major upgrade of its enterprise security platform, which includes a virtual private network, firewall and security management software.

The upgrade, called the NGX platform, advances the Redwood City, Calif., company's core technologies, such as Application Intelligence, SecureXL and the Smart management architecture; and adds new features to 20 products, Check Point officials said.

Some of the key enhancements provided by the NGX platform include a single software console for centralized management of network perimeter, internal and web security policies. New VPN capabilities include dynamic routing that provides more efficient management, using fewer resources, for large, complex networks, company officials said.

"With the Check Point NGX platform, we are meeting and exceeding present and future Internet security needs," Gil Shwed, chairman and chief executive of Check Point, said in a statement.

Check Point NGX is scheduled to ship by May 30. The upgrade will be available at no additional charge to customers with a software subscription.