Palo Alto Networks today announced GlobalProtect™, a solution that helps enterprises secure remote endpoints with better performance and easier management. According to the company, the solution extends the level of visibility and control of applications, users, and content that Palo Alto Networks provides inside the network to endpoints outside the network.
Unlike traditional approaches to endpoint security, GlobalProtect ties policies related to applications, users and content to roaming users via a persistent thin client that can either be pre-installed or installed on demand. As with a VPN, remote traffic is sent over a secure tunnel. However, unlike typical VPN deployments, which direct traffic to a few geographically centralized gateways, the GlobalProtect client connects to the nearest corporately-managed Palo Alto Networks firewall deployed at a hub, branch, or in a private cloud. This results in faster throughput, easier management, and better protection.
“The three traditional approaches to endpoint security – client-side software suites, proxies, or full tunnel VPNs – typically have resulted in significant performance impacts, management headaches, or bad user experiences,” said Rene Bonvanie, vice president of worldwide marketing at Palo Alto Networks. “We are… introducing a new approach to managing and securing remote endpoints.”
GlobalProtect will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010 and will initially support Windows-based PCs and laptops.
