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Policy Management Vital Criteria in SSL VPN Product Evaluation, Advises Leading META Group Analyst in New White Paper

Organizations Should Look for Object-Based Architecture, Unified Policy, Integrated End Point Security, and Centralized Control in SSL VPN Solutions

Enterprises should not overlook policy management and usability features when evaluating an SSL VPN, advises META Group analyst Mark Bouchard in a recently published white paper, entitled, "Selection Criteria for SSL VPNs: Policy Management and Ease of Use." Bouchard cautions that policy and related controls are often overlooked when companies are evaluating SSL VPN solutions and that all policy management is not created equal.

"The goal with SSL VPNs is a solution that efficiently and effectively provides secure access to networked resources," said Mark Bouchard, senior program director, Technology Research Services, META Group, Inc. "Achieving that goal both now and in the future depends on having a granular and flexible, yet highly scalable, policy architecture and associated management capabilities."

Beyond core functions that make policy easy to set-up and manage, as well as enabling improved ease of use of the SSL VPN, further detailed criteria ensures efficient and effective policy management, such as these recommended by META:

--  Object-based architecture
--  Unified and simplified policy model
--  Integrated, complex endpoint security policies
--  Centralized control
--  Comprehensive scenario and attribute coverage
--  Flexibility
    

The criteria outlined in the META white paper matches the policy model of the Aventail SSL VPN solution. Aventail is the only SSL VPN vendor on the market with an object-oriented policy architecture, which makes it easy for network administrators to set granular access control rules around key objects, including users, groups, resources, and devices.

In addition, Aventail Unified Policy reduces the time and amount of work for administrators, providing centralized administration with just one rule set for all resources and access methods in one location. Aventail Unified Policy integrates End Point Control and Policy Management into a streamlined model, allowing administrators to quickly set levels of access for all types of resources. In evaluations, the Aventail policy model has allowed rules to be defined three times faster than competing SSL VPNs.

According to the paper, policy is crucial, because it is the vehicle by which access to corporate resources is both granted and controlled, and policy management narrows the threat exposure to the organization while still enabling essential business functions to proceed. While policy is not new as a central feature in SSL VPN appliances, the attributes and conditions considered when establishing policy are much broader than most companies realize, and robust management capabilities are a distinguishing characteristic of a mature solution.

For a free copy of the META Group white paper on Policy Management and to view a recent Webinar with analyst Mark Bouchard on this issue, please go to: http://www.aventail.com/documents/wp_meta_pm.asp.

About Aventail

Aventail is the leading SSL VPN product company and the authority on secure application access technology. Aventail delivered the first SSL VPN solution in 1997 and today meets the secure communication needs of more than one million end users in over 75 countries. Aventail's family of SSL VPN appliances increases productivity for end users and IT professionals, while maximizing security and lowering costs. Aventail appliances are built on Aventail's proven platform, which leads the industry in End Point Control, policy management, and transparent, easy-to-use access options to the broadest range of applications. Aventail is the SSL VPN of choice among leading enterprises and service providers worldwide, such as AT&T, Dupont, IBM Global Services, MCI, Office Depot, Sanyo, and TNT. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Aventail has an extensive global network of channel partners and sales support offices. For more information, go to www.aventail.com.

Aventail, Aventail ASAP, Aventail Smart SSL VPN, Aventail EX-1500, Aventail EX-750, Aventail OnDemand, Aventail SA-1000, Aventail SA-9000, and their respective logos are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Aventail Corporation. Other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.

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