Ionex Picks NetScreen's VPN

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- NetScreen Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: NSCN) today announced that ionex telecommunications, inc., a leading provider of integrated communications services, has purchased NetScreen products to provide virtual private network connectivity and firewall security for its entire corporate infrastructure. ionex is using a NetScreen-500 as both a corporate firewall and the central device to connect more than 20 NetScreen-5XPs located in various regional sales offices, replacing very costly leased-line connections with affordable and secure VPNs, and creating a single transparent, easy-to-manage network. NetScreen Global Pro is used to manage the entire network, enabling ionex to push out upgrades, policies and other changes through one centralized management system. "We're saving money by using NetScreen and not leasing phone lines, and we are getting improved security at the same time," said Blake Kennedy, director of security at ionex. "Our overall costs are much lower, and the whole network is very easy to manage from a central location. I couldn't be more pleased with the way this solution has come together." Besides using the NetScreen appliances for fixed, site-to-site connectivity, ionex has also deployed NetScreen's VPN client software on laptops and PCs outside the established network. This VPN solution enables remote employees and others outside the corporate network to securely access critical enterprise data from any location. NetScreen Technologies Inc.