FaceTime Communications (News - Alert), a provider of applications designed to promote the secure use of Web 2.0 and unified communications in the commercial segment, has announced that Check Point Software (News - Alert) Technologies has acquired its application classification and signature database to add a new level of security for use in Check Point Security Gateways.


In a release, officials at FaceTime Communications said that Check Point's purchase of the database validates the need for businesses to implement Web 2.0 controls and security.

Kailash Ambwani, president and chief executive officer at FaceTime Communications, said, “With people and businesses interacting more than ever online the need for Internet application security is essential to protecting corporate networks.”

The impressive growth of Web 2.0 platforms and the benefits gained through their use introduces significant new compliance and policy challenges, say industry experts. Popular social networking platforms such as Twitter or Facebook (News - Alert) have come under security scan because they have been increasingly vulnerable to information leaking.

As a result, organizations now face new rules from regulatory bodies such as FINRA, specifically relating to content posted to social networks, they said.

“The growth in corporate use of Web 2.0 applications and in the number of different applications being used makes compliance with legal and regulatory obligations incredibly important,” said Michael Osterman, principal of Osterman Research.

According to Osterman, organizations must control how the Web 2.0 tools are used and the information that is transmitted through them or face significant consequences for not doing so.

“In adding this capability to our product line, we researched the market -- and identified FaceTime's application database as the market leader,” said Bill Bailey, vice president of corporate and business development of Check Point, in a statement. “Incorporation of the purchased database will provide businesses unparalleled granular control over application usage.”

FaceTime incorporates the application classification and signature database in its recently announced Unified Security Gateway (News - Alert) 3.0, which combines content monitoring, logging, management and security of Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking, instant messaging, and Unified Communications, with URL filtering, anti-malware and Web anti-virus protection.

The company recently launched its Augment, Migrate and Update, or AMU kit, to enable enterprises to upgrade their end of life offerings like Surfcontrol to the more contemporary URL blocking platform offered by FaceTime’s Unified Security Gateway 3.0, TMCnet reported.