Press Release
Stonesoft Introduces a Unique Functionality Concerning Packet Data Connections in a Security Gateway Element
Helsinki, 23rd of April, 2007 – Stonesoft, an innovative provider of integrated network security
and business continuity solutions, introduces their newest breakthrough innovation, a flexible
method and arrangement for handling information about existing packet data connections in a
security gateway element.
Stonesoft’s latest key innovation is called “Handling information about packet data
connections in a security gateway element” and it has just been granted a US patent (number
7,127,739).
To protect a local network, a special gateway is usually used to connect the local network to
a public network. This special gateway is often called a security gateway or a firewall, and the
purpose of it is to prevent unauthorized access to the local network while allowing essential
traffic. On data packet level this means that data packets, which are entering and/or exiting a
local network, are screened or filtered in a security gateway.
Stonesoft’s new invention relates to flexible handling of the information about allowed
connections within the security gateway. It enables the security gateway to handle the connections
individually when this screening information (or firewall policy) changes. The connections are
classified into those that are allowed according to the new policy and those that are not.
Furthermore, it is possible to inspect the packet data connections in conflict with updated
screening information before possibly rejecting part or all of these packet data connections. This
can be done, for example, by presenting a list of existing packet data connections that are not
allowed with new set of rules to the administrator, who can then decide if he or she wants to
terminate those or not.
“The objective of the invention is to present such a method and arrangement for handling
information about existing packet data connections which allows packet data connections via a
security gateway element to be reliable even when screening information is updated”, said Ilkka
Hiidenheimo, Chief Executive Officer of Stonesoft. “With this patent, Stonesoft further establishes
its position as a forward-thinking and innovative company in the industry,” continues Hiidenheimo.
Stonesoft´s StoneGate solution has already received several patents to date, both in the US
and in Europe.
About Stonesoft
Stonesoft Corporation is an innovative provider of integrated network security and business
continuity. Stonesoft is a global company focused on enterprise level customers requiring advanced
network security and always-on business connectivity with low TCO, best price-to-performance ratio,
and highest ROI. StoneGate™ Security Platform unifies firewall, VPN and IPS, blending network
security, end-to-end availability and award-winning load balancing into a unified and centrally
managed system for distributed enterprises. Founded in 1990, Stonesoft Corporation has corporate
headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and Americas headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. For more
information, visit: www.stonesoft.com.
For more information:
Ilkka Hiidenheimo
CEO
Stonesoft Corporation
Tel: +358 9 476 711
Email: ilkka.hiidenheimo@stonesoft.com
Monday, April 23, 2007
