Websense and F5 Networks Announce Joint Development of High-Performance Security Solutions

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN) and F5 Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV) today announced a long-term, strategic agreement to develop the industry's most comprehensive, scalable, real-time network security offerings. The two companies also announced the immediate availability of the first solution on their joint development roadmap.

"We are the first in the industry to build a consistent set of security services across application delivery controllers and unified access solutions," said Ryan Windham, senior director of corporate development for Websense. "Our partnership with F5 allows enterprises to secure sensitive data from both inbound attacks and outbound exfiltration through a single, integrated security platform—combining security effectiveness with network scalability."

The integrated solutions will provide high-performance security in the flow between users and applications, wherever they exist. This will enable cloud applications and empower users while securing intellectual property and providing inline, real-time protection against advanced threats. The architecture provides bi-directional, context-aware security based on identity, device and location as well as application, data and destination information.

"F5 secures access to applications and data through a highly scalable, intelligent services framework deployed at strategic points in the network," said Mark Vondemkamp, vice president of security product management and marketing at F5 Networks. "Our partnership with Websense adds inline, real-time defenses to detect advanced threats and data theft, making it safer for organizations to conduct business."

This partnership extends F5's existing unified access solutions, which provide secure, accelerated remote access and identity federation for web, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), client-server and SaaS applications. By implementing these solutions in conjunction with F5's application delivery firewall, application security, mobile app management, and application access management solutions, organizations can effectively protect their entire enterprise footprint.

"Websense is an established leader in security intelligence and F5 Networks is known for high performance benchmarks—this alliance is poised to create a solid and unified solution for large enterprises," said Michael Suby, Stratecast vice president of research for Frost & Sullivan. "The Websense and F5 partnership adds necessary contextual security to the application delivery controller and unified access solutions. It solves the problem of dispersed intelligence by linking data center and user traffic flows, which is something that hasn't been done before through a single platform."

Organizations today are susceptible to highly sophisticated attacks such as application vulnerability exploitation, spear-phishing and advanced malware. If successful, cybercriminals can steal crucial data and disrupt commercial services.

"It's very encouraging to see these two industry titans come together to bring security defenses to the enterprise datacenter," said Andy Welsh, director of partner alliances at Accuvant. "Accuvant is a key channel partner for both F5 Networks and Websense—and today's development is a sign of great things to come. We are looking forward to seeing this partnership thrive and offering these solutions to our clients worldwide."

Today, the companies also announced the immediate availability of the first solution on their joint development roadmap. This solution optimizes the interoperability of the F5^® BIG-IP^® platform and Websense® X10G™ and V-Series™ appliances. Leveraging a choice of F5 iApps^® technology to streamline configuration and deployment, the combined solution provides unified access and effective security against advanced threat stages, including data theft, with increased scalability and availability. F5 and Websense will continue to integrate their respective platforms through a series of interoperability releases.

For more information about this alliance, please visit www.websense.com/content/websense-triton-security-alliance-partners. For more information on the proven effectiveness of Websense TRITON™ defenses, please visit www.websense.com/proveit. Visit the F5 website for background on the highly scalable F5 BIG-IP platform by clicking here: www.f5.com/products/big-ip/.

About F5 Networks

F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) makes the connected world run better. F5 helps organizations meet the demands and embrace the opportunities that come with the relentless growth of voice, data, and video traffic, mobile workers, and applications—in the data center, the network, and the cloud. The world's largest businesses, service providers, government entities, and consumer brands rely on F5's intelligent services framework to deliver and protect their applications and services while ensuring people stay connected. Learn more at www.f5.com.

You can also follow @f5networks on Twitter or visit us on Facebook for more information about F5, its partners, and technology. For a complete listing of F5 community sites, please visit www.f5.com/news-press-events/web-media/community.html.

F5, BIG-IP, DevCentral, iRules, iControl, and iApps are trademarks or service marks of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries.

About Websense, Inc.

Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN) is a global leader in protecting organizations from the latest cyber attacks and data theft. Websense TRITON comprehensive security solutions unify web security, email security, mobile security and data loss prevention (DLP) at the lowest total cost of ownership. Tens of thousands of enterprises rely on Websense TRITON security intelligence to stop advanced persistent threats, targeted attacks and evolving malware. Websense prevents data breaches, intellectual property theft and enforces security compliance and best practices. A global network of channel partners distributes scalable, unified appliance- and cloud-based Websense TRITON solutions.

Websense TRITON stops more threats, visit www.websense.com/proveit to see proof. To access the latest Websense security insights and connect through social media, please visit www.social.websense.com. For more information, visit www.websense.com and www.websense.com/triton.

F5 Media Contact:
Alane Moran
F5 Corporate Communications
(206) 272-6850
[email protected]

Websense Media Contact:
Patricia Hogan
Websense, Inc.
(858) 320-9393
[email protected]

SOURCE Websense, Inc.