Press Releases
Juniper Networks First to Deliver SSL VPN Solution with SAML Support to Transform Secure Extranet Access
Oblix Becomes First Vendor to Certify SAML Interoperability with Juniper Networks SSL VPN to Create a Cost-Effective Combined Access Management and Policy Enforcement Solution
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 28, 2004 - Juniper Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: JNPR) today announced that its NetScreen Secure Access appliances are the industry's first SSL VPNs to integrate the popular Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) standard. The Juniper Networks SSL VPN portfolio now interoperates via standards-based interfaces to administer authentication, authorization and Single Sign On (SSO) policies stored in corporate directories, providing secure access to network resources with significantly lower costs of deployment versus traditional software-based security solutions.
Juniper Networks also announced today that it has joined with leading access management companies to ensure interoperability with its new SAML-enabled SSL VPN solutions (see related press release issued today titled "Juniper Networks Teams with Leading Access Management Companies to Expand Secure Extranet Access").
The broad adoption of access management solutions makes SAML integration essential for SSL VPN vendors because SAML defines an XML-based framework for exchanging security information in a standards-based manner. By offering standards-based authentication and authorization assertions within the NetScreen Secure Access SSL VPN product family, Juniper Networks enables customers to simplify the deployment of trusted environments through centralized policy stores, and provides investment protection for customers with existing identity and access management solutions.
"Customers are evolving to using SSL VPNs for secure extranet access and will look for this type of access management functionality," said Mark Bouchard, senior analyst, META Group, a leading provider of information technology research, advisory services, and strategic consulting. "It makes sense to have provisioning systems linked to SSL VPNs so enterprises can leverage efficiencies from their investments in unified directory products. A standards-based approach minimizes the amount of customer work necessary to ensure interoperability with existing identity management and user provisioning systems, and provides an extensible architecture for future deployments."
The integration of SAML support allows the Juniper Networks NetScreen Secure Access appliances to seamlessly communicate with products well known in the access management arena, including those of Oblix, a leading developer of identity-based security solutions. Through joint certification testing, Oblix and Juniper Networks can provide customers with a verified interoperable solution set for enterprise identity management and Web access control.
"Customers need to centrally manage user security policies to drive down cost, enhance security and increase control and visibility over their IT environments," said Ken Sims, vice president of marketing and business development, Oblix. "By leveraging the SAML interoperability standards to integrate our products, Oblix and Juniper have created a market-leading solution that is both enterprise class and highly cost effective."
"We are proud to be the first in the industry to provide SAML support in an SSL VPN appliance," said Jason Matlof, senior director of application security gateway products, Juniper Networks. "We enable joint customers to benefit from greatly reduced administration costs of their security architectures. A standards-based approach strategically positions Juniper Networks to deliver on the security needs of today, as well as the future."
The Juniper Networks NetScreen Secure Access SSL VPN products can now facilitate Web SSO and authorized access via SAML assertions to the central directory store without the need for distributed software agents, replication of resource policies, or the replication of application software, greatly reducing extranet, intranet and remote access deployment costs. By using the Juniper Networks SSL VPN to intermediate requests for application and network access, enterprises no longer need to replicate and manage the deployment of application servers into a demilitarized zone (DMZ), thus significantly reducing their operational overhead associated with policy and security management.
Availability
Support for the SAML standard and other advanced features are available worldwide today on the Instant Virtual Extranet version 4.1 platform for the Juniper Networks NetScreen Secure Access SSL VPN appliances.
For more information about Juniper Networks security products, visit: http://www.juniper.net/solutions/security/
About Juniper Networks, Inc.
Juniper Networks transforms the business of networking by creating competitive advantage for our customers with superior networking and security solutions. Juniper Networks is dedicated to customers who derive strategic value from their networks, including global network operators, enterprises, government agencies and research and educational institutions. Juniper Networks' portfolio of networking and security solutions supports the complex scale, security and performance requirements of the world's most demanding mission critical networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, NetScreen, NetScreen Technologies, the NetScreen logo, NetScreen-Global Pro, ScreenOS, and GigaScreen are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
The following are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc.: NetScreen Secure Access.
