Wipro Net-WatchGuard to deliver security solutions

BANGALORE: Wipro Net, the communication arm of Wipro Infotech, has entered

into an agreement with US based Internet security solutions provider, WatchGuard

Technologies, Inc. According to the alliance, Wipro Net will offer managed

firewall services to the corporate houses in India. The services will be in the

range of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per annum, including the product and managing

services. Last month, Wipro Net launched Gateway Virus Scanning for its

customers.

Watch Guard’s South East Asia regional sales manager, Jonathan Mabie, said,

"According to IDC, the market for firewall during the year 2001 grew 55 per

cent worldwide, to a size of $1.8 billion. VPN registered 100 per cent growth to

a size of $14.5 billion. This growth is supplemented by $1.6 trillion in losses

this year, due to hacking and viruses in 2000. Internet security breaches were

up by 121 per cent in 2000. So, a need for a firewall is a must for service

providers to offer secure services. Watch Guard offers that strength to Wipro

Net." Watch Guard is entering the Indian market for the first time with the

alliance through Wipro Net.

"Customers have indicated that they don’t have necessary expertise to

manage the security concerns of their networks and that they would rather focus

on their core businesses. Firewall is an important step in any security process.

In addition to setting up a firewall, effectively managing it is the key to a

security process. This facility is being offered through Wipro’s Network

Operation Center (NOC), wherein firewalls are monitored and managed on a 24*7

basis," claimed Wipro Net’s chief executive, Ishwar Hemrajani.