WatchGuard Launches Advanced Operating System and Gigabit Security App

WatchGuard Launches Advanced Operating System and Gigabit Security Appliance for Today's Demanding Networks

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2005--

New Security and Network Operating System, High-Performance Platform and Gateway AntiVirus/Intrusion Prevention Service Simplify Security

    WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD), a leading provider of network security, has announced its highest-performance line of integrated security appliances, the Firebox X Peak, with up to 1Gbps firewall throughput. Running on the appliance is Fireware Pro -- an advanced security and network operating system designed to meet the performance, functionality, and manageability requirements of today's demanding networks. The company has also launched a new Gateway AntiVirus and Intrusion Prevention Service (GAV/IPS). This signature-based security option identifies and blocks malicious network traffic and code.
    The Firebox X Peak offers businesses Gigabit connection speeds, high port density and advanced networking features for a fraction of the cost of comparable products. This makes the Peak line ideal for the complex, demanding, high-speed networks that are increasingly commonplace in organizations of all sizes. The appliance's throughput capacity and high port density (10 ports, three of which are Gigabit-capable) ensure the Firebox X Peak has the performance and flexibility required to segment and strongly secure these networks.
    Fireware Pro is the new advanced security and network operating system that comes standard on Firebox X Peak, and is available as an upgrade for the Firebox X500 to X2500 models. In Fireware Pro, WatchGuard has enhanced its Intelligent Layered Security (ILS), which provides stronger protection by stopping viruses, spyware, worms, Trojan horses and blended threats without signatures. Smart default settings ensure businesses are protected from the outset, exemplifying again how WatchGuard provides stronger security right out of the box.
    Fireware Pro also includes advanced networking features that allow the user to define any port as internal, external or optional providing the reliability, redundancy and efficiency that people need to build and defend trusted business networks. This includes load-sharing for performance, multi-WAN failover for reliability, and active/passive high availability for hardware redundancy to a standby appliance. With these features, WatchGuard is combining the performance, reliability, redundancy and port density that demanding high-speed networks require, with the same intuitive interface WatchGuard customers have been enjoying for nearly a decade.
    WatchGuard's new Gateway AntiVirus/Intrusion Prevention Service, which blocks suspicious network traffic and malicious code in real time, is available for both Firebox Peak and Firebox X500 to X2500 models running Fireware Pro. Gateway AV/IPS provides signature-based protection, which complements WatchGuard's Intelligent Layered Security and provides more granular control and protection against threats that do not comply with protocol standards and behavioral rules. ILS reduces the window of vulnerability for many new and emerging network attacks, viruses, spyware, worms, Trojan horses and blended threats. GAV/IPS is a subscription-based service.
    Gateway AV/IPS also enables organizations to block problematic instant messaging and P2P applications such as AIM, MSN Messenger, Napster and Kazaa. Flexible, user-defined actions allow users to determine how attacks will be handled. IP address blocking, a reliable signature database and configurable whitelists, which define what not to block, all provide strong security.
    "Demanding networks aren't just found in large enterprises," said John Stuckey, WatchGuard vice president of marketing. "Organizations of all sizes are deploying high-bandwidth, multi-site networks with wired, wireless, remote and roaming users. Security threats have grown more numerous, malicious and coordinated, so WatchGuard has made security affordable, manageable and dependable for the average business. Firebox X Peak and Fireware Pro introduce enhanced security and networking features with the same commitment to WatchGuard's brand of easy-to-use and upgradeable protection."
    "WatchGuard's latest product offering is a significant addition to a familiar and tested line of enterprise firewalls," said Charles Kolodgy, research director for Security Products at IDC. "It offers solid default settings, efficient scrutiny of network packet streams, improved intrusion prevention and built-in malware defenses against both known and unknown viruses and spyware. This Unified Threat Management firewall expands WatchGuard's existing network protection while maintaining its tradition of security simply done."

    The Firebox X Peak line includes three models, the X5000, X6000 and X8000, offering:

--	Up to 1+ Gigabit per second throughput
--	10 ports to allow segmentation of high-value operations, such as finance and human resources, from the general network (seven 10/100 ports and three Gigabit ports on the X8000)
--	Port independence, allowing users to define ports to fit their needs so networks can be easily segmented for better, policy-based security
--	Up to four external interfaces, with WAN load-sharing, failover and high availability
--	Integrated firewall/VPN (up to 20,000 VPN tunnels) to support large numbers of mobile users or branch offices.
--	Full model upgradeability and a range of add-ons via software license keys
--	New Gateway AntiVirus and Intrusion Prevention Service available for Firebox X Peak
--	WebBlocker content filtering service

    Fireware Pro offers:

    -- WatchGuard's Intelligent Layered Security architecture, which
    provides deep application inspection, pattern matching and
    cooperative communication to protect against known and unknown
    threats. It also offers efficient processing of traffic to
    optimize performance

    -- Dynamic routing (BGP4, OSPF, RIPv1,v2) to increase network
    reliability by dynamically updating routing tables

    -- Traffic management, QoS and dynamic routing to ensure more
    fine-tuned management of network traffic

    -- Port independence, allowing users to define ports to fit their
    needs

    -- Multi-WAN features, with up to four external interfaces for
    redundancy and load-sharing to optimize traffic

    -- Additional authentication with support for LDAP, Active
    Directory, Radius and SecureID

    -- High availability to provide hardware redundancy and maximum
    network uptime

    Gateway AntiVirus and Intrusion Prevention Service offers:

    -- Blocking of Instant Messaging and Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
    networking. Enables organizations to block Instant Messenger
    services from AOL, MSN and P2P applications such as Napster,
    Kazaa, Morpheus and BitTorrent.

    -- Non-stop protection via automatic signature updates without
    interrupting or exposing your network

    -- A database of more than 23,000 virus signatures, including
    WildList and zoo viruses, updated at regular intervals to
    provide continuous and timely protection

    -- Decompression support that scans file types such as ZIP, RAR
    2.0, TAR, GZIP, ARC and MS CAB to efficiently protect
    demanding networks

    Complete Product Offering - Peak, Core and Edge

    WatchGuard now has a comprehensive product line to keep business networks of all sizes safe. Firebox X Peak broadens the range of networks WatchGuard can protect, making stronger security and intuitive management available to meet the needs of high volume and more demanding installations. The Firebox X Peak line comes in three models and operates at throughput speeds of 400 Mbps to 1+Gbps for firewall and 200-400 Mbps for VPN traffic. With the introduction of Firebox X Peak, WatchGuard's award-winning Firebox X500 through X2500 product line of integrated security appliances will now be referred to as the Firebox X Core product line. With an upgrade to Fireware Pro, Firebox X Core models can have the same advanced networking features found in the new Firebox X Peak line, including: multi-WAN failover and load sharing, traffic management and QoS, high availability, redundancy and full port independence. The Firebox X Core comes in four models and operates at throughput speeds of 100-300 Mbps for firewall and 20-130 Mbps for VPN traffic. The Firebox X Edge is an ideal endpoint solution providing complete protection for remote and branch offices or a small business operating at throughput speeds of 80-110 Mbps for firewall and 35 Mbps for VPN traffic.
    All WatchGuard security products are backed by WatchGuard's Live Security Service, a comprehensive bundled support offering that includes software updates, technical support, security broadcasts and self-help resources.

    Availability and Pricing

    Pricing for Firebox X Peak appliances starts at $5,990 and includes a 30-day trial to the Gateway AntiVirus/Intrusion Prevention Service. Fireware Pro and Gateway AV/IPS are available immediately. Firebox X Peak is expected to be available in early May. Fireware Pro comes standard on all Firebox X Peak appliances and is available as a purchase upgrade for Firebox X Core appliances.

    About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

    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 the expected availability of the Firebox X Peak products and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 the Firebox X Peak products are not available when expected or at all and the other risks described under "Important Factors That May Affect Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2004, 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.

--30--AR/se*

CONTACT: LEWIS PR for WatchGuard Casey Lewis or Rachel Kim Euretig 415-277-5400 watchguard@lewispr.com or WatchGuard Public Relations Jeff Wenker, 206-613-6646 jeff.wenker@watchguard.com

KEYWORD: WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

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