Fortress Technologies Launches Industry's First High-Performance Wireless Security Controllers


TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 5 -- Fortress Technologies, the leader in wireless network security, today announced the latest addition to its award-winning product suite, the FC-X series of security controllers. These high-performance wireless security controllers are capable of processing throughputs in excess of 1.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps), which far exceeds the capabilities of today's software-based security solutions and finally offers customers a solution that will meet the needs of both high-performance wireless optics links or enterprise-wide wireless networking deployments. This marks the first in the next generation of wireless security products based on custom encryption hardware as well as the first Fortress products to incorporate advanced security processing technologies acquired from Legra Systems.

Driven by market demand for robust wireless networking, the evolution from software-based wireless security to high-performance hardware-based solutions was inevitable. Fortress' new architecture affords customers the ability to fully embrace wireless Free Space Optics (FSO), 802.16 WiMAX, satellite and 802.11 as a core component of their infrastructure without performance limitations and complexities associated with software-based security.

"Raytheon's customers rely on us to provide secure, reliable, high- performance solutions to improve their communications capabilities," said Bill Iannacci, Director, Integrated Communications Systems Strategic Initiatives, Raytheon. "Fortress' products provide Raytheon flexibility in secure and reliable communications in our continued efforts to supply the customers with total systems solutions."

Next Generation Architecture Increases Performance and Scalability

Fortress' FC-X controllers deliver non-blocking high-performance security providing encrypted throughputs in excess of 1.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps). Now, a large-scale enterprise can secure communications from thousands of wireless users over hundreds of wireless access points on its network with a single security controller. Additionally, the FC-X processes packets at a high rate with low latency satisfying the rigorous demands for large VoIP deployments, a rapidly growing application for wireless communications.

Fortress accomplished this by integrating their high-assurance, FIPS 140-2 validated security technology with hardware and network processing expertise acquired from Legra Systems. The combination of these technologies has resulted in unparalleled performance for high-assurance, Layer 2 security specifically targeted at the wireless networking market.

"Fortress' new controllers are ideal for our high-performance optical wireless solutions," said Sunny Taylor, CEO and president of fSONA. "Our customers choose fSONA for high-performance point-to-point networking, so this solution from Fortress is a perfect complement to our infrastructure because it does not impede the performance of our free space optic networks."

Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Because of the performance and scalability of this new platform, Fortress' solution lowers the total cost of ownership. Not only can customers deploy far fewer controllers within their network, but Fortress is setting an industry-leading price-performance benchmark. The top of the line FC-1500 controller lists for $24,995, performs in excess of 1.5 Gbps of encrypted throughput, supports thousands of simultaneous users and includes one year of maintenance and support.

Additionally, Fortress has designed a new Selectable Performance Module into the FC-X platform so customers can start with a system that performs at either 250 Mbps (FC-250) or 500 Mbps (FC-500) and upgrade those systems to a high-performance level as needed. This allows customers to meet ever growing bandwidth needs without requiring the purchase of additional security controllers. This new approach significantly reduces TCO compared to the traditional model other system providers offer today.

"This FC-X Series is the result of a significant investment in research and continued collaborative efforts with our customers and partners," said Janet Kumpu, president and COO of Fortress. "We are excited that our solutions will enable the broad-based proliferation of secure wireless networking for our enterprise customers."

With the development of this scalable and flexible hardware and software architecture, Fortress will deliver a wide range of security solutions based on this platform within the next six months.

Fortress Technologies (Booth 107), Raytheon (Booth 100), Intel Corporation (Booth 227), Redline Communications (Booth 227) and Segovia (Booth 207) will be demonstrating secure WiMAX using the FC-X controllers at the National Guard Bureau Information Technology Conference from Dec. 5- 8, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

The FC-X Series will be generally available in December 2005 and is already on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FIPS 140-2 pre-validation list. It will be available in three different performance configurations, FC-250, FC-500 and FC-1500. For additional information about this new product, please visit www.fortresstech.com/ or call 1-888-4privacy.

About Fortress Technologies
Fortress Technologies is the leading provider of wireless security products for enterprise networks. The Fortress security system leverages a combination of advanced wireless security technology and a robust processing architecture to deliver security services, networking services, policy management and monitoring that creates a more inherently secure enterprise network. This scalable and easy to use product suite seamlessly integrates with corporate wired assets and systems to ensure the business integrity demanded by commercial and government organizations. In addition to being the security system of choice for critical commercial applications, Fortress redefined the use of wireless technologies across state, local and federal government agencies. Achieving market-leader status through securing over 10,000 enterprise networks, Fortress has received SC Magazine's coveted "Readers Trust" award for best wireless security solution for two consecutive years. Fortress accolades also include being named one of the "Fierce 15" top 15 emerging WLAN companies for 2005, as well as receiving Frost and Sullivan's 2004 "Market Leadership of the Year" award for wireless LAN security. Fortress Technologies is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with partners and resellers worldwide. For more information, contact us at info@fortresstech.com or call 813-288-7388.

About Raytheon Company
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

About fSONA
fSONA, founded in 1997, is recognized as the preferred provider of optical wireless solutions for the military, homeland security and service provider markets. Customers include federal agencies, military bases, mobile wireless and Internet service providers as well as public and private enterprises. The SONAbeamT series of products, based on free-space optics (FSO), use a globally unlicensed, wireless technology operating at speeds up to 1.5 Gbps and distances up to 5km. For more information visit www.fsona.com/ .

CONTACT: Chris Whalen, Fortress Technologies, +1-813-288-7388, or cwhalen@fortresstech.com;

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