Press

New Research Shows Preference of Hardware Over Software for Security Deployments

Among Network IT Managers, Either A Standalone Appliance Or An Embedded Feature in Network Equipment Is Preferred Over Software

AUSTIN, Texas – January 31, 2005 – Britestream Networks, a catalyst for the creation of a ubiquitous, secure and private Internet, today announced findings from a research project that was designed to understand the types of security measures organizations are deploying. The national survey was conducted with over 300 IT professionals in companies with annual revenues of more than $30 million that are highly or somewhat involved with their company’s network security.

A key finding was that over half (54%) of respondents preferred a hardware-based solution, consisting of either a pre-bundled, standalone hardware appliance or an embedded feature in network hardware equipment, over a software-based solution when asked how they would prefer to deploy network security in their organization. This finding is significant since the predominant method for deploying security in the past has been via software because it was easier and faster to develop. Now however, the market is demanding the higher security and performance levels achievable in hardware implementations.

“The reasons for the shift to a hardware preference are clear,” said Mike Salas, vice president of marketing for Britestream. “With a hardware solution that completely offloads and performs security functions separately, customers can free up their existing computer resources for other applications. Hardware is also easier and faster to implement, easier to maintain, and ultimately more secure than software because it’s a self-contained, impermeable entity that doesn’t require patching or other hands-on maintenance.”

The new research findings also don’t surprise industry analysts. IDC predicted in 2004 that the security appliance market will reach $4.73 billion in 2007 and that 80% of security products will be hardware-based by then.* Frost & Sullivan’s analyst for security technologies, Jason Wright, commented, "We expect substantial increases in demand for high performance hardware appliance-based solutions among medium and large enterprise markets in the short term.”

“As information technology has evolved, it has become essential to deliver security as a foundation, not an afterthought”, added Britestream’s president and CEO Bob Weinschenk. “Providing security in hardware is a natural extension of that trend. Customers are realizing the benefits and vendors are responding. This trend will change the landscape of the security market considerably.”

About Britestream
Britestream Networks provides plug-and-play SSL security NICs or ASICs that deliver a unique combination of powerful simplicity, un-compromised performance, and fortified security. Delivered in an industry-standard Ethernet NIC, Britestream’s patented in-stream TCP/IP processing engines eliminate the need for network integration and provide 100% CPU offload. With sensitive information stored in hardware, Britestream solutions are tamper-proof. From existing applications such as servers, load balancers, firewalls, and content switches to fast-growing emerging applications such as SSL VPNs, XML/Web Services, and secure e-mail gateways, Britestream’s board and chip solutions remove all barriers and penalties of ubiquitously deploying security. This is Internet security as it is meant to be. Automatic. Easy. Everywhere.
For more information, visit: www.britestream.com

* IDC Research Report (May 2004) “Thinking Inside the Box” by Brian Burke and Christian Christiansen

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