WatchGuard Dishes Up Network Security for National Restaurant Chain
Tuesday February 8, 8:30 am ET
Food Concepts Deploys WatchGuard Integrated Security Appliances to Protect Expanding Network of 'Abuelo's' Restaurants
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2005-- WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WGRD - News), a leading global provider of network security solutions, today announced that Food Concepts International LP has implemented a WatchGuard Firebox X1000 integrated security appliance in its Lubbock, TX, headquarters. Food Concepts has also deployed Firebox SOHO 6tc appliances as VPN endpoints in its 22 restaurant locations.
Food Concepts owns and operates the chain of Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy restaurants across the U.S. Its network connects 22 restaurants to its headquarters location and supports 100 individual users.
Previously, the company used NAT-based devices to secure its network. Recognizing a growing need for security and improved communications, Food Concepts decided to search for a solution that could provide enterprise-class protection, while still being easy to manage. The company selected WatchGuard based on cost-effectiveness, scalability, ease-of-use and central management capabilities after evaluating several solutions from companies including Juniper Networks, Inc. (NetScreen) and Cisco Systems, Inc.
In addition to safeguarding Food Concepts' email and Internet connections, WatchGuard has enabled the company to establish a secure intranet, thereby boosting the company's internal communications. The intranet allows restaurant managers to send their daily information to headquarters quickly and safely, and enables headquarters to push out updates such as menu and corporate information changes to the individual locations.
Potential future uses of the secure VPN connections include high-speed credit card processing, which would allow Food Concepts to reduce authorization times from about 15 seconds to 3 seconds per transaction. The company also plans to deploy a second Firebox X1000 appliance for high-availability and failover in the coming months, and to roll out the endpoint appliances in another 28 restaurants that are scheduled to open by 2007.
"As a restaurant chain, it's important that all of our remote locations are in close communication with the corporate office, which can be difficult given some of the restaurants are hundreds of miles away. Most of the information transmitted back and forth is highly sensitive, so it's absolutely crucial that our network is as secure and reliable as possible," said Greg Baker, IT/IS Director of Food Concepts International LP. "WatchGuard has enabled us to completely change the way we communicate. It has allowed us to not only increase our overall network security and improve communication, but has also made it significantly easier for us to manage security across all of our locations with its central management and model upgrade capabilities."
"More and more restaurant businesses today run mission-critical applications over their networks, so a breach in security can impact both the bottom line and customer satisfaction," said John Stuckey, vice president of marketing at WatchGuard. "Fast-paced, growing businesses like Food Concepts need top-notch network security solutions they can depend on. As Food Concepts discovered, NAT-based devices just don't make the grade."
WatchGuard Firebox X: Integrated Security Appliances
Firebox X integrated security appliances offer firewall, VPN, deep application inspection for proactive protection from viruses and intrusions, gateway antivirus for email, intrusion prevention functionality, spam blocking, web filtering, authentication and high availability capability.
WatchGuard Firebox X is the first integrated security appliance with full model upgrade capability that allows users to upgrade to any higher model in the line and/or increase port density simply by applying a software license key. With this capability, customers can scale existing Firebox X security appliances simply and economically without costly and time-consuming hardware replacements. As their security needs change, customers activate model upgrades via a software license key and obtain all the performance and functionality of any higher model in the line just as if they had purchased it originally.
WatchGuard recently launched its next-generation VPN end point product line, the Firebox X Edge, designed to provide commercial-class security to remote offices, small businesses, and telecommuters. When the Firebox X Edge is used in combination with a Firebox X appliance located at a central site, customers get comprehensive central management and monitoring capabilities at no extra charge.
About Food Concepts International LP/Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has continually been on the leading edge of menu creativity, combining consistency in food quality, colorful plate presentations, superior service and an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Abuelo's restaurants, which were recently named as one of the nation's top 400 restaurant chains by Restaurants & Institutions magazine, are owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas.
Abuelo's currently has locations in Texas in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Hurst, Lewisville, Lubbock, Midland, East Plano and West Plano; in Bricktown Oklahoma City, North Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; in Chandler, Peoria and Scottsdale, Ariz.; in Rogers, Ark.; in Wichita, Kan.; in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; in Bartlett, Tenn.; and in Kansas City, Mo. Two additional restaurants are currently under construction in Toledo, Ohio and Indianapolis Ind. More information is available at www.abuelos.com.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard is a leading provider of network security solutions for small- to mid-sized enterprises worldwide, delivering integrated products and services that are robust as well as easy to buy, deploy and manage. The company's Firebox X line of expandable integrated security appliances is designed to be fully upgradeable as an organization grows and to deliver the industry's best combination of security, performance, intuitive interface and value. WatchGuard Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently and provides the flexibility to integrate additional security functionality and services offered through WatchGuard. Every WatchGuard product comes with an initial LiveSecurity Service subscription to help customers stay on top of security with vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction and superior customer care. For more information, please call 206-521-8340 or visit www.watchguard.com. |
