Nokia to unveil network security products for small cos

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Top mobile handset maker Nokia is playing the network security game in India.

Nokia plans to bring out products for small companies next year in an attempt to gain market share in the hot domain of network security. "We plan to offer firewalls and intrusion prevention systems for SMEs in 2007," said Mr Chakrapani G.K., Country General Manager, Nokia Enterprise Solutions India.

The firm started direct sales in India only a year ago. Nokia currently caters to the enterprise and high-end segment of companies, with its boxes fetching an average price of $10,000. From its product IP40, which costs $1,200, to IP2250 model costing $85,000, the prices are higher than competition. However, the firm believes there are takers. It has 150 customers in banking, financial, IT services and manufacturing sector. The company is making inroads into the government sector.

UTM space

Nokia also plans to enter the Unified Threat Management (UTM) space next year. The company has tied up with Israeli firm Checkpoint to offer security solutions. While Cisco is the leader in security appliances for enterprises, Nokia claims to be competing for the number two space along with Juniper and Nortel.

The firm will invest in its Enterprise Security (ES) division at Hyderabad to keep pace with the growing demand for network security products in India.

Nokia also expects the virtual private networking (VPN) market to grow in India and will play for part of the $10-12-million pie (2006). The company sees Australia, Japan and Singapore leading the way in adoption of secured business mobility, with markets such as Malaysia and India moving very fast.

Taken from Business Line

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