Configuresoft Introduces HTTP-based Patch Distribution Capability.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Security Update Manager Ensures Secure and Seamless Delivery of Security Patches through Firewalls

Configuresoft, the industry leader in configuration management, today announced Security Update Manager (SUM) Version 2.5, which enables enterprises and government agencies to safely distribute patches and software updates across firewalls via the HTTP protocol. This capability eliminates the need for customers to modify firewall configurations in order to deploy patches to machines located outside of the network perimeter. With the release of Windows XP SP2, which will enable the Windows Firewall by default, HTTP delivery of patches will become critical for client machines as well.

In the May 4, 2004, report by Gartner, Inc. entitled "Rapid Sasser Attack Raises the Cost of Securing Windows" analysts John Pescatore and Mark Nicolett advise enterprises that have not yet made investments in configuration management and software distribution to: Allocate funds for patch management systems that can make patching before attacks more feasible, while also ensuring the stability of Windows systems. Simply turning on Windows automatic update feature is not enough.

"From a security perspective, SUM 2.5 reduces the risk and vulnerabilities associated with opening ports on network firewalls to deploy patches on systems within an organization's Demilitarized Zone," said Randy Streu, vice president of product management for Configuresoft. "The ability to patch systems using HTTP keeps firewall policies intact, while extending SUM's automation and productivity gains to systems directly connected to the Internet."

Additional functionality incorporated in SUM 2.5 includes:

--Integration with ECM Remote for automatic patching of mobile devices the instant they log onto the network

--Automatic synchronization of remote patch distribution points

--Enhanced reporting capability that includes automatic creation of new reports for any newly released bulletin, patch deployment history and on-demand assessment for single machines.

Pricing and Availability

Security Update Manager is available immediately from Configuresoft and its business partners worldwide. Pricing for Security Update Manager 2.5 starts at $25 per server and $5 per workstation. Pricing for ECM starts at $995 per server and $30 per workstation. ECM and SUM support Windows NT Server 4.0 or higher, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or higher and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or higher.

Security Update Manager

Security Update Manager, an add-on module for the award-winning Enterprise Configuration Manager (ECM), automates security patch management by alerting administrators of new security bulletins issued by Microsoft, instantly assessing entire networks to detect vulnerabilities, and deploying required patches to all the target machines with a single mouse click. By leveraging the vast repository of configuration data stored in the ECM database, users can quickly view the current configurations of the machines on their networks. Then, using remote patch distribution points, administrators can deploy patches with minimal bandwidth use to machines inside and outside of the firewall-protected DMZ.

Company Background

Configuresoft manufactures enterprise configuration, security patch management, and policy compliance solutions for Windows-based servers and clients. Based in Colorado Springs, CO., Configuresoft provides products and services to Global 1000 companies, including eight of the world's largest 25 corporations, as well as large-scale government installations. The company's products provide detailed enterprise views of current system configurations, and offer data on what steps are needed to comply with policy standards, government legislations and operational expectations. To contact Configuresoft, call 719.447.4600, via the Web at http://www.configuresoft.com, or write to [e-mail].