WGRD Watchguard Technologies

WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD), a leading provider of Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, today announced the new e-Series UTM hardware platforms that dramatically enhance performance, increase port density and add security functions to the Firebox X Core and Peak products. These new products strengthen WatchGuard's true Zero Day protection which stops the new and unknown threats plaguing small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The added performance allows WatchGuard's comprehensive set of security services -- Gateway Anti-Virus/Intrusion Prevention, URL filtering, anti-spyware, and spam blocking -- to operate efficiently without compromising the security of today's demanding networks. WatchGuard is also releasing Fireware Pro 8.3, the latest version of its advanced appliance software. Fireware Pro now enables anti-virus scanning on HTTP traffic, extending AV protection to Web servers and clients. The new appliance software also supports networking functionality that provides greater security and flexibility to small and mid-sized businesses. This includes enhanced WAN failover capabilities to increase uptime and provide support for Dynamic DNS, which, along with added traffic management functions, can maximize network flexibility and efficiency. The new Firebox X Core and Peak models, dubbed the e-Series, now offer more ports and increased firewall and VPN performance. The Firebox X Peak, WatchGuard's top of the line UTM, now comes with eight Gigabit Ethernet ports. Also available is a Fiber-interface model. Performance and capacity has been doubled with up to 2.5 Gbps for firewall traffic and 600 Mbps for VPN traffic. All new Peak e-Series models ship with Fireware Pro as the standard appliance software. The new Firebox X Core is available in four-port or eight-port models. This range offers solutions for small, single-site networks; central sites that serve as branch office VPN or mobile user VPN configurations; and for mid-sized organizations with more demanding LAN infrastructure and VPN requirements. The new Firebox X Core e-Series models ship with Fireware, a streamlined version of WatchGuard's advanced appliance software, and is license key upgradeable to Fireware Pro. Memory has been doubled on both product lines to increase data processing capacity. The new WatchGuard Firebox Core and Peak appliances have also been redesigned to meet the stringent European Union RoHS and WEEE environmental requirements required to sell new electronic hardware in the EU. "WatchGuard understands the security requirements of small and mid-sized businesses and this new UTM product line helps meet those unique needs with the most complete security appliance available," said Mark Stevens, WatchGuard chief strategy officer. "Integrated security capabilities that protect against today's most complex threats, hardware platforms that meet throughput and networking needs of the SMB, and true Zero Day attack protection set WatchGuard apart in the Unified Threat Management market." WatchGuard's line of Unified Threat Management solutions provide comprehensive security integrating stateful packet firewall, VPN, Zero Day attack prevention, gateway antivirus, intrusion prevention, anti-spyware, URL filtering, and spam blocking, reducing the time and cost associated with managing multiple-point solutions and significantly increasing protection from blended network attacks. WatchGuard's true Zero Day protection stops new and unknown threats such as viruses, spyware, Trojans and buffer overflows through its unique Intelligent Layered Security. WatchGuard also offers a secure remote access solution, the Firebox SSL VPN Gateway, which provides dependable, secure access from anywhere, anytime, with no complex reconfiguration, custom application connectors, or development work. Pricing and Availability The new WatchGuard Firebox X e-Series UTM security solutions start at a US MSRP of $2,290. Products are expected to be available in the US in June. About WatchGuard WatchGuard provides network security. The company's Firebox X family of upgradeable appliances delivers the performance, functionality and security strength to meet the needs of organizations of any size. WatchGuard's Intelligent Layered Security protects against emerging threats and provides the platform to integrate additional services offered by the company. All WatchGuard products include a LiveSecurity Service subscription for vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction, as well as individualized and self-help customer care. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.watchguard.com. Certain statements in this press release, including statements about expected new products, services, features or functionality and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk that expected new products, services, features or functionality are not available when expected or at all and the other risks described under "Risk Factors" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, and in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.