An alliance between N2H2 and Cisco will provide Linux- and Microsoft-compatible software to enable new content filtering in Cisco firewalls, thereby improving productivity and security.

by Wayne Kawamoto [February 27, 2002]

N2H2, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTWO), an Internet access management company that specializes in fast and scalable filtering solutions, announced that it will provide Internet content filtering services for Cisco's PIX Firewall family. According to the companies, this new integration will provide Cisco firewall customers with robust Internet filtering capabilities that can manage Internet bandwidth usage for improved productivity and security.

The companies claim that N2H2 filtering should provide robust filtering that enables firewalls to deliver efficient Internet access without denying users access to critical resources. Filtering administration will be completed via a control center. The system is designed to give IT managers access to group filtering, customized filtering rules, and advanced reporting capabilities.

This access management solution—offered in both Red Hat Linux and Windows editions—should integrate seamlessly with an ISP's network and require minimal administration. According to the companies, organizations of all sizes should be able to benefit from the integration of the filtering solution, as it will be used with Cisco PIX Firewall platforms ranging from small office/teleworker oriented PIX 501 Firewalls to large enterprise/Internet service provider oriented PIX 535 Firewalls.

N2H2's technology, in conjunction with Cisco PIX Firewalls, is designed to let customers implement customized Internet filtering based on settings for specific users or groups, content categories, and time of day access. The solution should also provide robust reporting capabilities and give customers insight into how their Internet bandwidth is being utilized, and if there are any employee productivity or other issues associated with inappropriate Internet content.

The companies say that the N2H2 filtering solutions in Cisco's PIX firewall family offer the following advantages:

Integration:

• Centralized administration
• Changes in Domain Controller are automatically reflected in filtering
• Integrate directly into Cisco PIX environments through Internet Filtering Protocol available with PIX v6.2
• Streamline ongoing administration, saving time
• Filtering is available immediately upon installation and customized features may be activated at any time
• High performance and scalability

N2H2 Enterprise filtering:

• Stand-alone N2H2 filter server processes thousands of requests per second
• Eliminates nonproductive content from the network, which increases performance
• Propagates changes made on one N2H2 Filter Server to other servers in the array
• Flexible configurations can support small or large organizations
• Installs on one or multiple servers
• Delivers the freedom to configure a network for optimum efficiency
• Grows with the needs of an organization
• Minimizes ongoing administration

Flexibility:

• Custom policy configurations by individual user, group, IP and IP range, and time of day
• Customizable filter rules can support a company's Internet Usage Policy (IUP)
• Authorized override gives designated supervisors the ability to temporarily turn off filtering for a period of time (on the Red Hat Linux version only)
• System administrators can build and populate content for customizable block and allow categories (on the Red Hat Linux version only)
• Customizable block/allow lists for specific file types (e.g. .mp3, .wav, etc.)
• Remote server administration
• Schedule frequency and time of automatic list updates during off-peak traffic times
• Tailor Internet access to an organization's specific needs
• Improve bandwidth management
• Customizable block page reinforces a company's message

Ease of use:

• Simple installation directs administrators through the setup
• Immediate access to preexisting user and group information from domain controls
• 3 pre-configured filter sets
• Software downloads and installs in minutes
• Immediate access to appropriate filter levels to match an organization's Internet access policies

Advanced Reporting:

• Reporting algorithms eliminate irrelevant data, and deliver cleaner, more targeted reports
• Investigative reporting by user or IP
• Configurable, full-color charts, tables, and graphs
• Capture data in compiled format to be exported to popular applications
• Quickly pinpoint Internet abuse
• Instant access to employee Web use data

Availability and pricing
Cisco PIX Firewalls with the new N2H2 filtering solution should be available in March 2002.

Final pricing had not been determined at press time.

—End