The software, which operates over 802.11, CDMA, and GPRS networks, already provides firewall protection, integrity management, FIPS 140-2 encryption, and enforced authentication.
The new VPN feature will help mobile enterprises maintain the privacy and integrity of in-transit data by creating a secure tunnel between sender and receiver. As with traditional network security, the combination of VPN and firewall technologies will secure information traveling to and from wireless networks via handheld devices.
According to Bluefire Security Technologies, many companies delay or even prohibit deployment of wireless handhelds because of security concerns. The Mobile Firewall Plus software protects users in a variety of connectivity situations, including accessing an enterprise network, browsing the Web from a Wi-Fi hotspot or other public access point, and exchanging data with ad hoc peer-to-peer networks.
It also enables administrators to lock down and even remotely wipe a lost or stolen handheld, and to set policies and monitor activity on employee-owned devices accessing the enterprise network.
Bluefire's VPN feature will be available in the third quarter of 2004. It is being integrated into the company's existing central management console, and will be compliant with the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 platforms.
At press time, Bluefire was unable to provide exact pricing for the software, which is adjusted based on the number of users and level of deployment.
