SAN JOSE, Calif. and SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. -- Palo Alto Networks and SurfControl (London: SRF), a leading provider of global on-demand network and endpoint IT security solutions, today announced a partnership to integrate SurfControl’s Web Filter URL classification database into Palo Alto Network’s next-generation firewall, the PA-4000 Series.

With SurfControl, the PA-4000 Series now offers fully integrated URL filtering capabilities. In addition, SSL decryption can be invoked or bypassed based on URL category (e.g. finance sites are allowed without decryption while other sites are decrypted for inspection and policy control), and the fully integrated “on-box” database provides high performance URL filtering without redirects as required by “off-box” solutions.

The proliferation of social networking, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), instant messaging, webmail and P2P applications enhance the user experience and improve productivity – but not without consequential IT security problems and limited application visibility and control. Based on Palo Alto Networks’ patent pending App-ID™ application classification technology, the PA-4000 Series accurately identifies both traditional and emerging applications – including those embedded in an SSL session – to facilitate total application access and usage control. Notably, this is accomplished while enabling broad, real-time threat prevention by addressing common security evasion tactics.

"With its next-generation firewall, Palo Alto Networks has reinvigorated a core security platform with the application visibility and control it sorely needs,” said Rocco Donnino, Vice President of Worldwide Business Development, SurfControl. "SurfControl’s leading URL filtering database is an ideal complement to Palo Alto’s platform and together enable the safe and appropriate use of new applications in the enterprise.”

Palo Alto Networks Inc.

SurfControl plc