NEC'S Internet Business Unit Introduces PrivateNet 2.0 Firewall; New Release Adds GUI, Protection from SYN Flooding and Firewall Security for Under $3,700.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 1996--NEC Technologies' Internet Business Unit (IBU) announced today the introduction of a major new release of its PrivateNet Secure Firewall in three versions at aggressive prices starting at $3,650, including server hardware.

PrivateNet, Release 2.0, in 50, 200 and Unlimited node support versions will ship November 1, replacing Version 1.0.1 introduced in April and passed firewall certification testing by the National Computer Security Association (NCSA) in June. NEC's IBU has added a new graphical user interface (GUI), tunneling, and multiple authentication support. The key features of PrivateNet Release 2.0 now include:

-- Firewall server hardware.

-- Security-hardened BSD O/S and firewall software on read-only

CD-ROM media -- provides easy installation, administration,

upgrade and tamperproof security.

-- GUI - increases ease of administration.

-- Protection against SYN flooding attacks.

-- Tunneling - increases accessibility of applications through the

firewall.

-- Multiple authentication support - enhances secure remote access

to network from Internet.

-- Proxy server architecture - provides much greater security than

packet filter systems.

-- High availability - when using multiple PrivateNet firewalls,

Internet access is maintained if one becomes inactive.

-- NAT (Network Address Translation) - enables IP address hiding of

devices on the protected network.

-- Load balancing - when using multiple PrivateNet firewalls, the

load is automatically distributed between firewalls.

-- Connection auditing and logging - provides connection auditing

and allows a single or redundant log for system administrators.

-- Blocks IP address spoofing - prevents spoofing attacks.

-- Support for major Internet applications including: Telnet, SMTP,

NNTP, HTTP, FTP.

-- Virtual Private Network (VPN) - Encryption is based on the DES

or 3-DES standards.

"As we continue our development of PrivateNet firewalls, we talk to our customers and our resellers to ensure that future firewalls such as Release 2.0 provide a total security solution. We're responding with Release 2.0 that includes the server hardware, firewall software in scaleable configurations and product features that end-users are demanding.

"Release 2.0 makes PrivateNet a fully featured firewall that is easy for resellers to sell and install, and even easier for our customers to administer and upgrade when necessary" said William Hansen, marketing manager for the Internet Business Unit. "The really exciting news here is that NEC now offers a complete, out-of-box, firewall package at a price that small businesses can easily afford," Hansen added.

Designed for Internet and intranet security, NEC's PrivateNet firewall is a turnkey, bundled hardware software firewall that is marketed and supported exclusively by VARs, system integrators and security consultants. It features a security-hardened UNIX operating system, Pentium-driven hardware, and proxy-server firewall software that is supplied on CD-ROM for added security and ease of use.

PrivateNet's security software prevents the protected network from being used to launch network attacks. Release 2.0 also incorporates NEC's recently announced TCP/IP software enhancement that protects networks against denial-of-service (SYN flooding) attacks from hackers.

More Scaleable PrivateNet Firewalls

For the first time, NEC is offering PrivateNet, Release 2.0, as three scaleable versions, in 50, 200 and Unlimited nodes - each providing the server hardware, BSD O/S, firewall software, and VPN for unique Internet and intranet security requirements. Previous versions are upgradeable to Release 2.0.

50 Node Firewall

The 50 node firewall is aggressively priced at $3,650 (suggested list price) for sale to small and medium business intranet applications and connection to the Internet. VARs and end-users can easily upgrade the 50 node software to 200 and Unlimited node versions when needed.

200 Node Firewall

The 200 Node firewall is competitively priced at $7,950 and is targeted at medium-to-large organizations for intranet and Internet security. The 200 node software is upgradeable to the Unlimited node version when needed.

Unlimited Version Firewall

The Unlimited node firewall is priced at $9,650, and is designed to meet the needs of large corporate, government and educational networks of any size by allowing for an unlimited number of node connections to the firewall.

Commenting on NEC's new Release 2.0 firewall systems, NetworkGuys, Inc., President Tim Carney, "We've looked at NEC's firewall and I'm pleased to report that PrivateNet comes in at the right prices and has the features that our customers are asking for. The 50 node version has big system features, such as Virtual Private Networking, a GUI, NEC software support, and server hardware. At $3,650, we expect to be selling a lot of these firewalls."

NetworkGuys, a leading network integrator based in Fremont, Calif., specializes in firewall sales and installations in the Bay area. "Our customers look to us for sensible solutions for their network security needs and PrivateNet does the job quite nicely," Carney added.

PrivateNet Release 2.0 is Easier to Use

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have become a standard firewall feature because most system administrators find them easier to use than editing files. The PrivateNet 2.0 server includes a GUI that runs on a Sun Microsystems SPARC workstation with a Solaris operating system. The GUI is used for firewall management tasks such as configuring authorized users, services and user authentication requirements.

The GUI provides secure remote management using encrypted communications. Before the widespread interest in the Internet, most network administrators were concerned about attacks on their networks from within, and dial-up access from disgruntled workers.

But with most organizations now connecting to the Internet and big business and big money moving toward electronic commerce, the motive for mischief from outside is growing rapidly and creating a major security risk to enterprise networks.

Reacting to this threat, an increasing number of network administrators are installing state-of-the-art proxy-server, or application-level firewalls as a barrier against outside attacks. These gateways provide a choke point at which control and audit can be imposed. They allow access to resources on the Internet from within the organization while providing controlled access from the Internet to hosts inside the private network.

About the Internet Business Unit and PrivateNet

The Internet Business Unit was formed in July 1995 to address the needs of organizations that require secure and productive Internet and intranet connection and use. The unit's first technologies, products and services are security-related.

NEC's PrivateNet server, Release 1.0.1A, passed firewall certification testing by the National Computer Security Association (NCSA), an independent laboratory in Carlisle, Pa. on June 3, 1996.

According to NCSA, Certified Internet Firewall products are tested against a standardized and evolving suite of attacks while allowing desired business functions to be accomplished. The NCSA says the purpose of certification is to simplify the evaluation, purchase, and installation of firewalls, enabling customers to choose the right products for their networks.

On June 26, 1996, the Internet Business Unit announced that it successfully demonstrated country-to-country virtual private networking (VPN). The connection was made using two versions of the PrivateNet server, the IBU/PrivateNet version and the GOAH/PrivateNet SV server, which is similar to the U.S. version but is sold solely by NEC Corporation in Japan.

During the tests, privacy and security was maintained between the two sites by deploying Digital Encryption Standard (DES) and triple-DES encryption. Since DES encryption technology cannot be exported from the United States, a Japanese version of DES, developed outside the U.S., was used.

The Internet Business Unit is located in San Jose, California and can be contacted at (800) NEC-INFO. Further information may be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.privatenet.nec.com.

About NEC Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computer peripherals and other technology products for the North American market. Award-winning product lines include MultiSync" desktop and presentation monitors, MultiSync portable LCD projectors and fixed-installation CRT projectors, SuperScript' printers, MultiSpin" CD-ROM readers, and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS).

The company also develops and markets a wide range of optical storage products, fully configured computers with secure Internet services for a dedicated Internet connection and various technology products for the automotive market, including airbag sensoring systems and flat-panel display monitors. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling 800/NEC-INFO. -0-

Note to Editors/Analysts: Review systems are available. Please contact William Hansen at NEC Internet Business Unit at 408/433-2192 or at [e-mail].

CONTACT: NEC Technologies, Internet Business Unit

William Hansen, 408/433-2192

[e-mail]

or

Deborah Buffington, 408/433-1531

[e-mail]