Forum Systems Wins Network Computing's Well-Connected Awards for Best XML Firewall and Best SOA Utility; Forum XWall and Forum XRay Web Services Diagnostics Recognized as the Industry's Best in SOA Security and Governance Enforcement Solutions.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Forum Systems, the leader in Web services and SOA security infrastructure for XML acceleration, threat protection and trust management, today announced that it has been awarded two of Network Computing's Well-Connected Awards with Forum Systems XWall(TM) winning "Best XML Firewall" in the Security category and Forum Systems XRay(TM) Web Services Diagnostics winning "Best SOA Utility" in the Enterprise Applications category. Forum XWall is the first and only standalone Web Services Firewall with XML Intrusion Prevention and integrated Antivirus SOAP attachment scanning. Forum XRay Web Services Diagnostics is the first quality assurance solution dedicated to testing Web services for security and assessing the vulnerability of service-oriented applications. The combination of these two products offers customers the most comprehensive SOA security and governance compliance and enforcement solutions on the market.

The categories in the 12th Annual Well-Connected Awards fall into eight information technology markets: application infrastructure, enterprise applications, messaging and collaboration, network and systems management, network infrastructure, security, storage and server as well as wireless.

"The Well-Connected Awards are unique because they're the only industry awards given by technologists based on real-world use and integration. We view all products, technologies and services from the same perspective as our readers -- our peers -- do," said John Siefert, Publisher of Network Computing. "This is an important distinction from any other award program -- the products selected in the Well-Connected Awards have been tested in an actual business environment and judged by our editors themselves. They are truly innovative solutions that work -- and we have the metrics to prove it."

"Companies rarely get an opportunity to be nominated for this prestigious award let alone win in two categories," said Wes Swenson, CEO and president of Forum Systems. "We are ecstatic to have received these two awards for XRay and XWall and it's an achievement that everyone at Forum is proud of. Both of these products have the same thing in common: the industry's most cost-effective solutions offering ease of use and focused functionality that gives customers the confidence they need to enter production knowing their SOAs are secure. It's an exciting time to be working in IT and we look forward to continuing our innovation, staying modest and yet confident that we are a leader in the security and governance enforcement space."

Network Computing Well-Connected Awards Accolades

"It's IT's job to support and integrate with business unit projects. Security can take many forms, from hardening the application to installing hardware, such as award winner Forum Systems' XWall Web Services Firewall 6.0, which goes beyond conventional XML validation to scanning SOAP attachments for viruses," wrote Mike Fratto, editor at large for Darkreading.com.

XML Firewall

Winner: Forum Systems XWall Web Services v6.0

The XML-based Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is fast becoming the de facto middleware that simplifies integration of multiple services both inside and outside your organization. The XML messages are highly flexible in the format and content that can be embedded in the documents. As a result, these services are open to a variety of vulnerabilities, from denial-of-service to run-of-the-mill application attacks such as SQL injection. XWall protects against common problems by enforcing adherence to XML formatting, comparison to predefined schemas and antivirus scanning of attached files. This last feature protects file transfers from malicious code and makes SOAP a viable transmission medium for arbitrary files. For the complete review of Forum Systems XWall Web Services 6.0 please visit: http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/security/showArticle.jhtml? articleID=174402256&_requestid=130173 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

"We're also impressed by Forum Systems XRay Web Services Diagnostics tool, especially for its support of attachments a la SOAP 1.2 and its excellent implementation and support of WS-Security," wrote Lori MacVittie, senior technology editor for Network Computing.

SOA Utility

Winner: Forum Systems XRay Web Services Diagnostic

In a SOA world, Forum Systems XRay Web Services Diagnostics' capabilities are indispensable for ensuring your Web services stay healthy. XRay all but gives you x-ray vision into the Web services stack--if only it captured and displayed data at the TCP/IP layer. This testing tool supports every other aspect of Web services, from formatting test messages based on existing WSDL to encryption of elements and digital signatures. Support for SOAP 1.2 means you can send and receive attachments for testing both applications and perimeter security solutions.

About Forum Systems

Trustworthy, ubiquitous and robust Web services can only be achieved by combining security controls that are proactive, always on and systematic. Forum Seamless Security Solutions Architecture (Forum S3A(TM)) is an adaptive approach to building security minded service-oriented applications and data-level networks using life-cycle solutions including vulnerability management, testing systems, firewalls and gateways. Forum products are available as software, PCI-card and appliance options and comply with government requirements including FIPS Certification, Common Criteria EAL 4+ (in process) and JITC DoD PKI Certification. Forum Systems is an active a member of OASIS and WS-I helping mature standards such as WS-I Basic Profiles, SAML and WS-Security. It is also CheckPoint OPSEC Certified. Customers can benefit from Forum technology that is offered with market-leading products: Microsoft ISA Server 2004, NetContinuum NC-1000 WSE, Crossbeam Systems, Breach Security, Software AG and Network Engines NS6300X. For more information on adaptive solutions for Web services security visit http://www.forumsys.com.

Forum Systems, Inc. is the Leader in Web Services and SOA Security(TM) infrastructure with a comprehensive suite of XML acceleration, trust management, threat protection and information assurance solutions for the automated Web. Forum Systems' flexible hardware, software and embedded products make vibrant business communications possible by actively protecting XML data and Web services across networks and business boundaries. Forum's products have been chosen by over 150 Fortune 1000 industry leaders and are winners of Network Computing Magazine's Well-Connected 2004 Award and Product of the Year 2004 Award, Network Computing Magazine's Editor's Choice 2003 Award, Network Magazine's Product of the Year 2003 Award and DEMO 2004 Invitation. Forum XWall Web Services Firewall is the industry's only XML Firewall selected by InfoWorld LEADERBOARD 2004. Visit Forum at http://www.forumsys.com/.

About Network Computing

Network Computing is the trusted information source which helps 220,000 Technology Leaders turn business strategy into reality. The editorial team consists of real-world IT veterans who provide objective information and analysis on technologies and solutions that are tested in IT media's only Real-World Labs -a setting which mirrors our audience's work environment. Network Computing's critical analysis of market solutions and their impact on an organization is infused in every aspect of the brand, from the award-winning publication and networkcomputing.com, to NWCReports.com, and the events such as the Expert Series Tour and Technology Leader Forum. Network Computing is consistently honored for its editorial excellence, garnering accolades from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), as well as winning Maggie Awards from Western Publications Association and Folio magazine's Ozzie Awards.