Check Point acquires FaceTime classification and signature database to secure Web 2.0 applications

(30/11/2009)

The momentous growth of Web 2.0 platforms and the benefits gained through their use introduces significant new compliance and policy challenges. Government agencies and corporations worry about sensitive information leaking out over Twitter or Facebook and organizations now face new rules, from regulatory bodies such as FINRA, specifically relating to content posted to social networks.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.has acquired FaceTime Communications' application classification and signature database to add a new level of security for use in Check Point Security Gateways. Check Point's purchase of the database validates the need for businesses to implement Web 2.0 controls and security.

"In adding this capability to our product line, we researched the market - and identified FaceTime's application database as the market leader," said Bill Bailey, vice president of corporate and business development of Check Point. "Incorporation of the purchased database will provide businesses unparalleled granular control over application usage."

"Check Point's purchase of our database reaffirms FaceTime's leadership in the Web 2.0 and application security market," said Kailash Ambwani, president and chief executive officer at FaceTime Communications. "With people and businesses interacting more than ever online the need for Internet application security is essential to protecting corporate networks."

FaceTime incorporates the database in its recently announced Unified Security Gateway 3.0 - the first secure Web gateway to combine content monitoring, logging, management and security of Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking, instant messaging, and Unified Communications, with URL filtering, anti-malware and Web anti-virus protection.

"Here at the West Virginia Department for Education, our issues with Facebook and MySpace are twofold; first the malware propagation issue, and secondly, if we allow access to this type of site, I'd be concerned with people just 'hanging out' all day," says Jim Daniels, Network Administrator "USG gives us the ability to allow access to the parts of Facebook - our groups for instance - and the applets we want them to have access to, without compromising productivity."

"The growth in corporate use of Web 2.0 applications and in the number of different applications being used makes compliance with legal and regulatory obligations incredibly important," said Michael Osterman, principal of Osterman Research. "Our research has shown that a large and growing proportion of corporate users are using Web 2.0 tools on a regular basis. Consequently, organizations must control how these tools are used and the information that is transmitted through them or face significant consequences for not doing so."

Related topics:  Application and software security 

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