NetBox Blue, one of the world's most innovative internet management and security providers, has launched the latest-generation Internet Access Control System (IASC) designed specifically for the education sector. NetBox Blue SecurED offers a world-class firewall, spam filtering and virus protection as well as patented Web Filtering and Internet Quota Management all in the one integrated appliance.

"NetBox Blue SecurED is the most complete and cost-effective way for education providers to fulfill their Duty of Care to internet-enabled students," NetBox Blue Director of Education Sector, John Pitcher, says.

"Schools across Australia already rely on NetBox Blue for their internet and email security and management and the release of NetBox Blue SecurED is further evidence of our commitment to the education sector and our dedication to innovation."

NetBox® Blue, Australia's leading internet and email security and management provider and ESET®, the leader in proactive threat protection have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to offer ESET's award-winning NOD32 Antivirus as an option in NetBox Blue's full line of Unified Threat Management (UTM) and virtualized security solutions. As a result of the union, small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) will have access to NetBox Blue's integrated security and management suite and full line of localized security solutions through ESET's vast network of worldwide partners.

The two companies will be sharing at stand at CeBIT Australia this week (stand U40) to build on the success of their ongoing partnership. The union has already resulted in NetBox Blue securing a multi-million dollar Master Distribution Agreement with Canon ITS Japan.

NetBox Blue is supplying Canon with up to 500 email filtering appliances a month. The SpamCheckerTM appliance, as it is known in Japan, is a simple to use email filtering and content control solution. The drop in appliance is the result of nine months of co-development between NetBox Blue and Canon ITS Japan and is specifically designed to suit the SME market in Japan.

Birrana Engineering, leader in the design, manufacture and servicing of mining transport equipment has made dramatic changes to the efficiency of its Virtual Private Network since installing a NetBox in each of its locations. The company had been relying on an antiquated and unsupported VPN solution, but the suite of features offered in the NetBox has given the company unprecedented control over its network. The combination of traffic shaping (Quality of Service), web filtering, pre-delivery spam filtering and improved bandwidth, all provided on an IBM hardware platform, help to ensure Birrana retains its position as an indispensable partner to the Australian mining industry.

With less than two weeks to go before the Beijing Olympics, businesses are urgently seeking a way to protect their networks from an anticipated deluge of media streaming, according to internet and email management provider NetBox Blue.

"Businesses have good reason to be concerned," says NetBox Blue Chairman John Fison.

"I think it's almost inevitable that when Grant Hackett dives into the pool for the final of the 1500 metres, thousands of Australians will be streaming the event on their computer. The consequences for a business network are massive."