RALEIGH, N.C. – GFI Software, an international developer of network security, content security and messaging software announced today the BETA release of GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner (N.S.S.) 8, the latest version of its award-winning 3-in-1 security scanning, patch management and network auditing solution. The new version ensures best-of-breed technology in each of its three modules; offering businesses the most effective method of securing their network with a single, integrated solution.
Recognized by industry experts and users alike, GFI LANguard N.S.S. has consistently received high praise for its ability to proactively report and support fixing of network vulnerabilities quickly and efficiently. For the second consecutive year, it has been awarded the best commercial network security scanner by users of Nmap, named the winner in the Patch Management category in TechTarget’s 2006 ‘Products of the Year’ awards and was also voted the Gold Winner in 2005, in the Testing and Auditing category.
According to Gartner research, over 85% of successful network attacks exploit system vulnerabilities and weaknesses for which security patches and fixes have already been released. To combat this problem, GFI developed a 3-in-1 solution that combines best of breed vulnerability scanning, patch management and network auditing technology into a single package, ensuring network vulnerabilities are proactively reported and patched across the entire network.
“The security market is clearly trending toward integrated solutions. According to our latest research (Messaging Security Market Trends, 2006-2009), 73% of businesses have deployed a point, best-of-breed solution, while only 27% have an integrated product deployed in their environment,” said Michael Osterman, president of Osterman Research, Inc. “However, the same research indicates that 47% would prefer to have an integrated solution today, indicating a significant mismatch between current practice and desired best practice. By 2008, I anticipate the majority of businesses will have moved much more toward integrated security solutions.”
The latest edition of GFI LANguard N.S.S. has a variety of unique new features – setting the technology apart from competition. GFI LANguard N.S.S. 8 can now use Open Vulnerabilities Assessment Language (OVAL) security definitions; this new feature gives GFI LANguard N.S.S. 8 over 2,000 new vulnerability checks to ensure weaknesses are not present within systems, over and above the vulnerabilities which are discovered through its patch management operations.
Other new features include a performance enhanced scanning engine, additional patch management functionality and a highly intuitive graphical threat level indicator. This new threat level indicator gives users a weighted vulnerability assessment of the entire network as well as on a computer by computer basis.
“GFI LANguard N.S.S. 8 responds to a number of specific customer requests over the past year,” said Andre Muscat, Director, Network Security Products, GFI. “We listened to feedback and are thrilled to present an updated product that will undoubtedly be well-received by our customers. Together with the technology advancements implemented such as support for OVAL and the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) top 20, this latest version combines years of user experience and vulnerability management technology into one modestly priced solution.”
The latest version of GFI LANguard N.S.S. has also received a variety of patch management improvements including added support to rollback Microsoft patches as well as technology to automatically download new Microsoft security patches when made available.
GFI LANguard N.S.S. 8 also features a ReportPack add-on with over 30 customizable reports, which automatically generate graphical IT and management-level reports based on data collected during security scans. This allows users to track the security status of their entire network whilst also creating an inventory of network assets, enabling them to know exactly what applications and devices are installed on their network. The updated ReportPack incorporates 22 new reports and nine updated reports including scan history, deployment history and system information.
GFI LANguard N.S.S. 8 will be available by the end of Quarter 1 2007. For more information about GFI LANguard N.S.S., visit http://www.gfi.com/lannetscan/.
About GFI LANguard N.S.S.
GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner (N.S.S.) checks a network for possible security vulnerabilities by scanning the entire network for missing security patches, services packs, vulnerabilities, open shares, open ports, unused user accounts and more. With this information (displayed in customizable reports), administrators can easily lock down their network against hackers. GFI LANguard N.S.S. can also remotely deploy missing patches and service packs in applications and OS. GFI LANguard N.S.S. is the leading Windows security scanner and very competitively priced, starting at just USD 495 for 32 IPs. For more information and to download the product, one can visit http://www.gfi.com/lannetscan/.
About GFI
GFI is a leading software developer that provides a single source for network administrators to address their network security, content security and messaging needs. With award-winning technology, an aggressive pricing strategy and a strong focus on small-to-medium sized businesses, GFI is able to satisfy the need for business continuity and productivity encountered by organizations on a global scale. GFI has offices in the US, Malta, UK, Hong Kong and Australia which support more than 200,000 installations worldwide. GFI is a channel-focused company with over 10,000 partners worldwide. GFI is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. More information about GFI can be found at http://www.gfi.com.