Panda launches GateDefender Performa 3.0: personalized protection for companies of all sizes

October 30, 2007

Panda Security has launched Panda GateDefender Performa 3.0, the new version of its content security appliance for companies of all sizes. The major new feature is the option to set user profiles, which enables administrators to configure security according to the needs of specific workers or departments.

“There are always varying security needs within companies. The types of websites accessed or files and data types sent and received will differ from one department to another. With this new solution, administrators can provide user groups or individuals with protection that adapts perfectly to their specific needs,” explains Alejandro Castañar, Product Manager for security appliances at Panda Security.

Panda GateDefender Performa 3.0 is designed for installation in any network, with no need for configuring or redirecting network traffic. It offers complete corporate protection, blocking malware, spam and malicious or inappropriate content before it enters the network. It does this through scanning of the most common protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP4 and NNTP). It can also prevent the use of high-risk applications such as instant messaging and peer-to-peer programs.

“Malware, spam, inappropriate content, instant messaging and peer-to-peer programs are all notorious time-wasters for employees and saturate network resources. A solution like Panda GateDefender Performa 3.0 doesn’t just protect companies, it also helps them become more efficient and productive, as it keeps these malicious and time-wasting elements out of the network,” says Castañar.

Moreover, Panda GateDefender Performa 3.0 ensures that all relevant information will be received, through an innovative system using three separate quarantines:

Quarantine for suspect or non-disinfectable malware.
Quarantine for spam or probable spam
Quarantine for content blocked by the corporate security policy

There is also the option of a direct connection with PandaLabs to detect new malware, create vaccines automatically. The system also allows for items to be recovered or disinfected automatically and forwarded to the recipient without intervention from administrators.

According to Castañar: “This technology ensures that only secure content reaches the interior of the network and with a minimal impact on the network.”

Panda GateDefender Performa provides information to administrators about the status of protection and network activity (items blocked, network viruses, users most frequently targeted etc.). This data is provided in real-time in the form of graphs, offering considerable time saving for administrators.

This new appliance from Panda offers five different types of protection:

- Anti-malware protection: Detects and blocks all types of Internet-borne malicious code before it reaches the corporate network. Files containing unknown or non-disinfectable malware can be stored in a special quarantine and eliminated later.

- Content filtering: Allows administrators to establish a corporate security policy to filter out potentially dangerous content, and prevent confidential or personal data from leaving the company.

- Anti-spam protection: Verifies all inbound and outbound mail. Every message is classified as Spam, Probable spam or Not spam. The sensitivity of the anti-spam filter can also be adapted to each network user. Eliminating junk mail in the network perimeter improves network performance and boosts user productivity.

- Web filtering: Administrators define the categories of inappropriate Web content. They can also establish white lists and blacklists of restricted or permitted pages. This optimizes resource usage and improves user productivity. It also shuts down access to offensive, violent or any other inappropriate content.

- Blocking of P2P and IM applications: Peer-to-peer applications eat up corporate bandwidth and represent an important security hole as files are often divided in small packets and cannot be scanned. Instant messaging also affects productivity as it is frequently used for personal ends by workers. Panda GateDefender Performa can block these kinds of applications from within the corporate network.