MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Nokia today announced the availability of a new version of Nokia Secure Access System, its remote access solution leveraging ubiquitous secure socket layer technology running on Nokia's proven IP security platforms, according to La Société Actualité.

Nokia Secure Access System is an SSL VPN solution that provides users with anytime, anywhere remote access to email, PIM data, corporate intranets and applications from any public Internet kiosk, terminal, laptop or wireless device.

Nokia Secure Access System 2.0 introduces new configuration replication and single sign-on features that maximize ease-of-use at both the IT administrator and end-user levels, and high availability to protect against appliance failover-all in addition to the unique security and globalization features found in previous versions.

"Today, enterprises are in search of a streamlined, yet secure, remote access solution that meets the needs of users and IT administrators alike," said Charles Kolodgy, director of IDC's Security Products. "Nokia's Secure Access System was designed to simplify usability and manageability without shortchanging security. Its authentication and authorization capabilities, coupled with high availability features, should meet any enterprises' SSL VPN remote access requirements."

Using industry standard protocol, Nokia Secure Access System can be deployed and configured in high availability mode using VRRP. In the rare event of an appliance failure, a second appliance automatically takes over where the first left off with little interruption to users. Moreover, the strong authentication and authorization feature of Nokia Secure Access System ensures continual secure remote access to an enterprise network during failover.

"Nokia Secure Access System appliance solutions enable smooth deployment without the need of other peripheral equipment," said Yukio Iwaya, Associate Professor, in charge of network administration and operation at Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC), Tohoku University. "It is also a browser-based solution that is intuitive and easy-to-use without making complicated settings client-side."

To further simplify the management of multiple gateways and high availability pairs, Nokia Secure Access System version 2.0 includes a new configuration Replication feature. This feature allows administrators to define a managed group of gateways. Once defined, the group of gateways will automatically synchronize any changes to the configuration or user preference setting made on one gateway to all other gateways in the group. Not only does this feature drastically reduce the time and effort needed to deploy a new gateway, but it also lowers ongoing maintenance efforts as configuration changes are replicated automatically and securely without administrator intervention. The Configuration Replication feature is also particularly useful for multi-site/geographically dispersed deployments in which user preference and gateway configurations must remain in sync for the global workforce.

To simplify the end-user experience, Nokia Secure Access System provides a robust new Single Sign-On feature that minimizes the number of user IDs and passwords users are required to enter without compromising security. With single sign-on, users need only authenticate themselves once, also minimizing the exposure of multiple user IDs and passwords, particularly when using public terminals such as Internet kiosks. Nokia Secure Access System securely maintains all other user IDs and passwords, providing them to the end-user session.

"Nokia Secure Access System 2.0 includes a diverse feature set that uniquely positions us in the enterprise mobility space, delivering performance, reliability and security in a cost-effective package that's never been easier to deploy or use," said Steve Schall, director of product management, Nokia Enterprise Solutions. "The new High Availability mode makes Nokia Secure Access System an ideal solution for business continuity, while Configuration Replication dramatically cuts management and deployment time, making it simple for enterprises to reap the rewards of secure mobility."

Nokia Secure Access System 2.0 also includes the following industry leading features:

• Client Integrity Scan, which performs a customizable vulnerability check on users' devices to establish the level of trust and the user's identity, then automatically adjusts access privileges accordingly.
• Advanced Access Control, which also dynamically adjusts access privileges based on the user's identity, the device being used, and the security of the device at time of access, enabling IT departments to roll out cost-effective remote access services based on SSL, while ensuring the corporate security policy is enforced.
• Session Persistence, which allows users to resume work without losing data if an SSL session times out, ensuring high end-user productivity while adhering to enterprise security policies.
• Global functionality, which provides simultaneous support of multiple languages from a single gateway appliance including support for most international character sets. Supported languages include English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Nokia Secure Access System combines Nokia software with its purpose-built appliance hardware, secure operating system (IPSO) and systems management-complementing an existing portfolio of IP security appliances and enterprise Mobile Connectivity solutions. Nokia's world class, SCP certified "First-call Final-Resolution" global service and support team backs the offering.

Nokia Secure Access System 2.0 will be globally available June 28, 2004.