ConSentry Broadens Best-of-Breed Network Admission Control Options in a Single Platform; LANShield(R) Release 2.0 Integrates Check Point's Integrity Clientless Security.

MILPITAS, Calif. -- ConSentry Networks, a leading provider of secure LAN solutions, today announced a strategic upgrade to its LANShield operating software that enables enterprises to support a broad array of endpoint security software. LANShield Release 2.0 now integrates a dissolvable agent to securely manage mobile, guest, and uncontrolled desktops attempting to access the LAN. For the first time, IT can now decouple the host posture check decision from the network enforcement device decision and can deploy a transparent solution that does not force a switch upgrade or dictate specific endpoint software. (Editors note: ConSentry will take part in the RSA Conference 2006 in Booth 2206 in the Ballroom Concourse, Feb. 13-17 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA.)

"When evaluating network admission control strategies, we did not want to be tied to a single vendor for both the network and endpoint decision," said Kieren Athy, vice president of engineering and operations at CIMCO Communications, an integrated communications provider that serves businesses having mission critical communications needs based in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. "Interoperability with existing initiatives is essential, and the ConSentry solution gives us maximum flexibility without dictating a specific endpoint technology."

LANShield Release 2.0 seamlessly integrates the Check Point Integrity Clientless Security (ICS) technology to greatly reduce the complexity of securing enterprise LANs. Reinforcing its vendor neutrality and commitment to best-of-breed secure networking, ConSentry and its Secure LAN Controllers now support the industry's broadest range of endpoint security solutions, including Cisco's Network Admission Control, Microsoft's Network Access Protection, and Trusted Computing Group's Trusted Network Connect specification.

Check Point's ICS mitigates the risks posed by employee and guest endpoints accessing enterprise resources via the web. As the first LAN security company to embed this technology, ConSentry's Secure LAN Controller can now deliver automatic spyware disablement, ensure session confidentiality, and enforce network access security policies via an easily downloadable browser plug-in.

"Until now, we haven't had control over which computing devices can access our network, and that poses a serious security risk," said Steve Berg, director of information technology with Sunnyvale, CA-based Omneon Video Networks. "Getting network admission controls in place, without requiring a host agent to be installed separately, is critical to securing our LANs. By deploying ConSentry's Secure LAN Controller we have pre-admission controls, so only verified machines access the network, as well post-admission control, so we can manage what users do on the LAN once they have access. We now have a secure LAN without changing our network or desktop infrastructure."

"Supporting the broadest range of agent-based and dissolvable agent endpoint security options provides enterprises with unparalleled flexibility when deploying network access control solutions with our Secure LAN Controller," said ConSentry's vice president of marketing, Faizel Lakhani. "But network admission control is only one piece of a comprehensive LAN security strategy -- post-admission controls are even more crucial. As an essential element of an enterprise's LAN security infrastructure, our Secure LAN Controller uniquely integrates multiple security services into a single, simple-to-deploy platform that delivers comprehensive control over user access and contains threats."

Pricing and Availability

ConSentry's LANShield Release 2.0 is available now with dissolvable agent as an add-on capability starting at $2,995 per LAN Controller.

About ConSentry Networks

ConSentry Networks delivers comprehensive LAN security, enabling businesses to protect their corporate assets, ensure continuity of operations, and dramatically reduce the risk of security breaches. ConSentry enables this pervasive security while lowering IT's cost of operations through its flexible, high-performance platform powered by ground-breaking custom silicon and revolutionary LAN security software. Backed by blue-chip venture capital firms that include Accel Partners, INVESCO Private Capital and Sequoia Capital, ConSentry is headquartered in Milpitas, California. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.consentry.com.

ConSentry Networks, the ConSentry Networks logo and LANShield are trademarks of ConSentry Networks Inc., for use in the United States and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.