Channel partners of security vendor WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD) look certain to enjoy greater business opportunities with UK public sector organisations, following news that the Firebox X Core and Firebox X Peak appliances, together with Fireware Pro management software, have been granted Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (EAL4) rating under the Common Criteria (ISO 15408) Evaluation and Certification Scheme.
The Common Criteria Standard (CCS), ISO 15408, is a globally-accepted convention for measuring the security features and capabilities of information technology products. CCS certification is recognised by all 21 countries that participate in this scheme, including the United Kingdom government.
Achieving this globally-recognised Common Criteria certification and the EAL4 rating is a real important milestone for WatchGuard and its channel partners, providing both government and commercial customers with concrete, third-party assurance that our solutions meet the toughest demands, explains Nick Banks, sales director, Southern Europe, WatchGuard. We have always regarded our channel as our strength, so we are naturally delighted to help resellers ensure even greater success by strengthening WatchGuards offering for the fast-growing public sector market, he adds.
The Common Criteria standard consists of several predetermined assurance levels against which vendor solutions are tested. The certification process can take months or even years to complete. WatchGuards Firebox X Core and Firebox X Peak devices, running Fireware Pro 8.0, were tested by Electronic Warfare Associates-Canada, Limited, which operates an independent third party Common Criteria test lab.
With this EAL4-certified range, WatchGuard has come up with an extremely compelling case for the government and the public sector, comments Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of value-added distributor Wick Hill Group. We are already seeing significant interest and fully expect these solutions to be a major success with channel partners over the next year."
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