In September Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. has been recognized as a market leader by research and advisory firm, Gartner, Inc. In a report, Gartner notes: "Leadership in the remote-access VPN market requires that vendors provide a broad, competitive, compelling range of products that enable enterprises to build secure and flexible VPNs across all lines and layers of their business." Later this year Check Point received another award, this time from Network World magazine.



Infoexpress' VPN Software VTCP/Secure was also awarded in September, when Windows & .NET Magazine selected them as a winner in the Best VPN category. Stacey Lum, CEO of InfoExpress said, "We're honored to receive this recognition from the readers of Windows & .NET Magazine. This award is particularly meaningful because it was selected by people who use VPN solutions everyday."



Also in September ActivCard launched it's Smart VPN solution that bundles a AAA Server with a USB device and digital identity software. This promotion was designed to motivate VPN owners to add strong authentication to their current VPN-based remote access systems in order to protect against unwanted intrusion from hackers.




In November IDC released an annual report titled "Worldwide Security Appliance Forecast and Analysis 2002 – 2006: Hardware Continues to be the Choice of Security Software Deployment" where NetScreen Technologies was ranked as the fastest growing security appliance vendor in VPN and firewall market.



Just a few days ago MandrakeSoft announced the availability of "Multi Network Firewall" (MNF) -- a multi-VPN, multi-DMZ firewall and networking solution that provides smart Internet Traffic Management combined with an industrial-strength hardening system for the highest level of network security.