Firewall Systems becomes MailGuard’s first distributor

MailGuard, Australia’s first and leading provider of managed information security, has announced their agreement with Firewall Systems, Australia’s leading security distributor, to distribute and support MailGuard’s range of services throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“MailGuard is delighted to be working with the highly experienced team at Firewall Systems,” said Craig McDonald, MailGuard’s Director of Strategy. ”We are confident that there will be genuine market stimulus created through this partnership.”

Headquartered in Sydney, Firewall Systems has branch offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland, distributing and supporting best-of-breed security products and services. With its extensive base of reseller partners, the company covers the geographically dispersed Australian and New Zealand markets.

Firewall Systems Marketing Director, Nick Verykios, said: “Both Firewall Systems and MailGuard worked hard to create a strong and productive partnership, one which would maximise the benefits and outcomes through our respective channels. MailGuard’s advanced managed information security solutions are well and truly market tested. They already have thousands of businesses using their solutions, with clearly demonstrated measurable benefits. MailGuard’s range is a logical extension to our FireWatch Managed Services strategy launched three years ago.”

In addition to the iconic MailGuard email solution (anti-spam and anti-virus), the WebGuard solution gives businesses a layer of protection against web-based virus attacks, and allows organisations to manage, control and report on internet use. Research shows web-based attack is a serious and fast-growing business risk, with one new infected webpage discovered every 14 seconds. WebGuard offers additional major benefits, allowing businesses to manage staff productivity by preventing unwanted browsing, as well as avoiding potential litigation due to download of offensive or illegal material.

Verykios sees MailGuard’s successful business solutions fitting perfectly in Firewall Systems’ own M-UTM model (managed unified threat management), with its focus on 360 degree business protection. Demonstrating its strong commitment, Firewall Systems has appointed dedicated MailGuard sales champions in each state. Partner training and promotion will commence in the next few weeks.

Verykios explains that Firewall Systems’ “Distribution InDepth” model resolves the multiple needs of vendors and end-users by delivering a strong portfolio of technologies and services. Vendors and resellers are thus able to meet their customers’ own unique IT security needs. When teamed with Firewall Systems’ suite of professional services and support, resellers can combine best-of-breed technology with appropriate service level agreements (SLAs) to support the security policies required by their clients.

McDonald stated that the market for managed services continues to demonstrate strong growth. “Business is overwhelmed with the need to balance risk management with ever-evolving threats to their IT systems. As well, they must deal with compliance and legal issues surrounding online communications, staff web browsing activity and the necessity to archive emails”, he said. “Firewall Systems’ extensive distribution channels allow us to reach these businesses, provide protection and support and enhance efficient management. The all-round benefits are clear.”

Sharing the passion for business communications security, both companies forecast a 25 per cent increase in sales of MailGuard services Australia-wide, by the end of 2008.

Verykios concluded, “We are proud to partner with MailGuard. They have been protecting businesses in Australia and beyond for over seven years. Their technical capability and ongoing commitment to innovation initially attracted us to the organisation, and we clearly recognise the opportunities and synergy between our companies going forward.”

In 2007, both organisations were individually recognised as standouts in Australia’s fastest growing companies awards – Firewall Systems was ranked eighth in the BRW Fast 100 list and MailGuard was ranked in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific Awards

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