Juniper Updates SSL VPN App to Enable Secure iPad Access to Enterprise Networks
In addition to announcing that it has acquired Virtualization Security firm Altor Networks for $95 Million in cash earlier this week, Juniper Networks this week announced the latest version of its “Junos Pulse App” for iPad, an application for iOS that enables secure connectivity over SSL VPN to corporate applications.
Juniper has offered its Pulse App for iPhone but this latest release specifically supports iPad devices and iOS 4.2.The solution does require that the host be running a Juniper Networks SA Series SSL VPN version 6.4 or later.
Apple claims that more than 65 percent of Fortune 500 companies are deploying or piloting the iPad and have sold 7.5 million worldwide. securing the device while enabling productivity for the enterprises has become paramount. According to the results of a survey released earlier this week by Check Point Software Technologies, 54 percent of IT Security administrators expect specific growth in the number of remote users, including iPads. In a separate report released by Cisco in November, the majority of employees (66 percent) responding to a survey, believe they should be able to connect freely with any device – personal or company-issued – and access the applications and information that they need around the clock.
Providing a secure environment enables enterprise IT departments to empower their mobile workforce and enhance user experience. For example, an iPad-enabled enterprise sales force can securely and easily generate quotes, submit expense reports, access CRM systems, all on-the-go from their iPad regardless of whether they are on the corporate network, a local Wi-Fi hotspot or the latest 3G/4G network.
“It is a corporate requirement for us to provide the highest form of secure remote access to our employees who use a variety of mobile productivity devices, including iPad’s,” said Ruy Neto, Technology Manager at Terra. Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Terra, a Juniper customer, is a Latin American online media company with 70 million users in 17 Latin American countries as well as in the U.S. Its 1,100 employees are spread across several cities including as Brasilia, Mexico DF, Miami, New York and Santiago. Terra has recently deployed iPads for its executive staff in Brazil and is rolling out Junos Pulse to secure them.
In addition to providing secure connectivity for the iPad and Apple iOS, Junos Pulse also offers security for Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile operating systems. The Junos Pulse App for iPad iOS 4.2 is now available for free from the iTunes App Store.