SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 11, 2005 - Fortinet - the confirmed market leader in Unified Threat Management (UTM) and only provider of ASIC-accelerated, network-based antivirus firewall systems for real-time network protection - today announced that Widener University, a leading metropolitan university headquartered in Chester, PA, has deployed a combination of Fortinet's enterprise-class integrated security systems to protect its user community from hackers, unwanted network traffic and network threats of all types. To secure its campus network, including student dormitories, as well as to serve as a secure Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the Delaware County School Districts and the Technology Park buildings, (a joint venture business park between Widener and Crozer Keystone Health System), Widener University deployed FortiGate-3600 systems, FortiGate-800 systems and Fortinet's FortiGuard Web Filtering Subscription Service.

"Widener University's network needs mirror many other large Internet Service Provider's needs, because we provide backbone and network services not just to the university and its communities, but we also serve as an ISP to the greater Delaware County School Districts and Technology Park. In this capacity, we need to be able to provide secure Internet services and front-line Web content filtering for a large and diverse user base," said Perry Drayfahl, director of technical resources, Widener University. "In addition to balancing the diverse needs of this entire body of users, there was legacy equipment to accommodate. We choose Fortinet's integrated security systems and Web filtering service because together they accommodate different network configurations, and can operate in a variety of modes to allow a flexible installation while securing our vast network of users."

Integrated Network and Content Security for Large Enterprises
After evaluating enterprise security solutions from Cisco, Crossbeam, Juniper/NetScreen and Symantec, Widener University chose FortiGate-3600 systems, Fortinet's security appliances for large enterprises and service providers. The FortiGate-3600 systems were deployed in high availability (HA) mode to ensure that the main campus's critical services experience less downtime. This network design protects the university's 8,000 users including the students' dormitories and the Delaware County School Districts and Technology Park's communities of 60,000 users. The FortiGate-3600 systems provide real-time antivirus, content filtering, firewall, VPN, intrusion detection/prevention, anti-spam and traffic filtering, managed by policies created for each organization's unique needs.

Widener University's pursuit of a common, scalable network security solution also helped the decision to procure and deploy additional Fortinet technology for "defense-in-depth" applications. The enterprise-class FortiGate-800 systems were deployed to provide an additional layer of inline security for several large file servers and mission critical applications operating within the university network. These additional systems provide maximum security for applications including distributed learning programs, admissions, student transactions, and a variety of Widener University administration applications. All of these critical enterprise-class applications now operate securely on the existing network without performance degradation due to Fortinet's ASIC-accelerated security platform.

In addition to the native, integrated content-level protection available in every FortiGate system and to further protect its vast network of users, Widener University also deployed Fortinet's FortiGuard Web Filtering Subscription Service to secure the school districts' and Technology Park's users from inappropriate or unwanted Internet content. Fortinet's FortiGuard Web Filtering solution is a subscription service that provides 56 customizable categories of Web URL filtering for schools, libraries, government agencies, and enterprise businesses of all sizes.

"Widener University has a history of being a trend setter, especially with technology deployments as they continue to evolve to service their communities, academic and otherwise. As Widener's network evolved, it was looking for comprehensive, enterprise-level security solutions that are efficient to manage and maintain the highest level of network performance," said Tim Slattery, senior account executive for Widener technology partner Corporate Networking, Inc. "We recommended Fortinet for Widener because the FortiGate systems and FortiGuard subscription services provide comprehensive, enterprise-level security features in a flexible, ASIC-based network security appliance that can support and integrate seamlessly into existing network infrastructures as well as boost network performance in bandwidth intensive applications."

"Widener University carefully researched the competitive offerings and chose Fortinet as its enterprise-class network security provider," said Adam Stein, vice president of corporate marketing for Fortinet. "Widener, as a leading-edge university, has moved beyond simply securing its own campus network to also provide secure Internet services for its surrounding communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania and Fortinet is committed to providing the cost-effective, scalable, comprehensive protection to meet its enterprise-class and community-minded security needs."

For more information about Fortinet's FortiGate-3600 systems and FortiGate-800 systems, please visit: http://www.fortinet.com/products/

For more information about Fortinet's FortiGuard Web Filtering Subscription Service, please visit: http://www.fortinet.com/products/fortiguard.html