Websense V10000 - Web Security Appliance

Most people are aware that Websense are a market leader in the web filtering market, but tradionally has only been a software only option.

The software can either filter via a network sniffer (via a mirror or span port on a switch) or integrated with another solution such as a Cisco firewall or Microsoft ISA server.

The software has some limitations or lacked features that were being demanded from an enterprise perspective. These were addressed with Websense Security Gateway, which gave the following features:

• Web proxy server
• Integrated anti-virus solution
• Real time content classification
• Real time security scanning

This brought other considerations, due to the nature of this software, it would only be supported on a Linux platform. At the time I spoke with a number of customers who were put off by this, as they only had Windows administrators, and did not have the capacity to support a Linux server.

Websense took this onboard, and developed the V10000 appliance, which is a Websense branded appliance, which runs a Linux operating system and runs the Websense Security Gateway software within a virtualised environment. The specification of the hardware, will allow the appliance to run the Email Security and Data Security features in the future as well.

In short, Websense have produced an enterprise class proxy server, with enterprise web security in an appliance form factor.

At e92plus, we are technically proficient with the Websense range, where we not only carry out web demonstrations, deal with presales questions, deliver proof of concept deployments, architect and deploy full solutions, we also deliver both bespoke and certified Websense training.

More VASCO qualifications!

Today's training course went very well and I feel confident that it gives enough information to the attendees to get installing and using the product immediately!

The exam covers all aspects learnt in the last two days and is an open book exam which I know some people love and some people hate. I have to say that in the "real world" you'd be able to look at the product, speak to people, refer to manuals, use Google, etc, so I agree with open book exams.

Fortunately, I passed the exam to gain more VASCO qualifications. That now means I'm a VASCO Certified Engineer (VCE) for Middleware 3.0, aXsGUARD 7.0 and now Identikey 3.1. As I passed with over 80%, it also qualifies me to carry out training in this product as well.

e92plus are now an Authorised Training Centre for VASCO Identikey, as well an ATC for Websense and Cyberoam.

We'll start to run the certified training course for VASCO Identikey 3.1 from September 2009, so I may see you soon! :)

VASCO Training

Who is the worlds largest two factor token provider?

RSA?? Nope, although that's probably the answer, if you spoke to someone in the UK or US.

Speak to someone in Europe or from the banking industry, then the answer would be.... VASCO!

VASCO provide tokens to commerical banking worldwide and in fact all verticals, but as such have more functioning tokens in the real world than any other token provider.

I spent today in technical training, learning more about VASCO Identikey 3.1. Vasco is one of the vendors that we distribute for at e92plus.

Initial reaction is that it's much better structured than the old VASCO Middleware 3.0 course. I'd highly recommend this course for someone new to two factor authentication, as well as someone who has experience of other solutions.

Advantages over Middleware, include a web interface, reporting, much improved AD integration and a SOAP interface. More to come tomorrow, along with an exam!!