TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Westcon Group, Inc. announced that its Westcon division has been working closely with Crossbeam Systems, the leader in the high-end Unified Threat Management market (UTM) and that Crossbeam will play a key role in Westcon's SecurityPoint program, being launched in the U.S. later this month. Separately, Westcon is holding an online TeleTrack on May 23rd to provide Westcon VARs with more information on Crossbeam's award winning X-series and C-series UTM solutions.

Crossbeam's X-Series and C-Series feature patent-pending architecture that integrates enterprise-class best-of-breed security applications (firewall, anti-virus, IDS/IPS, XML security, URL filtering and more) from leading security companies, including Check Point. Crossbeam's high performance and purpose-built UTM platforms provide protection to some of the largest enterprise and service provider networks in the world.

Westcon's SecurityPoint program, scheduled to launch later this month, is designed to provide VARs with a vision, a roadmap and an environment to succeed in the growing network security market. According to a recent IDC report, the UTM market alone is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate of almost 50% and grow to a $2.4 billion market by 2009.

Laurie Usewicz, vice president of marketing and affinity sales, Westcon Group North America, commented: "Our resellers recognize the unique attributes of Crossbeam's patented technology and how these solutions can enhance Network Security and VoIP sales - especially in an SMB play that might include a Nortel BCM 50 or an Avaya IP Office. Crossbeam will be an integral part of our SecurityPoint program as our resellers look to simplify the management of their security applications while increasing their strength."

"Our platform solutions have consistently ranked number one in the high-end UTM market," said Rob Levey, vice president worldwide channel sales of Crossbeam Systems. "Crossbeam is providing enterprise-class UTM solutions for the world largest networks. Our new C-series products extend that capability to large, medium and small enterprises through tremendous cost efficiencies and return on investment. Crossbeam is working with Westcon to help VARs understand this largely untapped opportunity, delivering a quantifiable advantage through programs like SecurityPoint."

Joe Luciano, CEO of AccessIT Group, based in King of Prussia, PA, added: "We've been a customer of Westcon's for over ten years and have consistently relied on their ability to identify and deliver the most competitive solutions in the security market. By partnering with Crossbeam we have been able to raise the bar above our competition and deliver meaningful solutions to our customers."

About Westcon Group

Westcon Group, Inc. is a multi-national specialty distributor of networking, security and communications equipment for leading technology vendors, including Cisco Systems, Inc., Nortel Networks Corporation and Avaya, Inc. Through its Westcon and Comstor divisions, Westcon Group sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service providers. Westcon Group has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data and video applications and technologies, including voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, security for networking and communications systems, remote access, Internet and e-business, virtual private networks, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity. For more information, visit www.westcongroup.com.

About Crossbeam Systems

Crossbeam Systems secures the world's largest networks with its pioneering best-of-breed Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions. The company has tailored security solutions for global corporations, carrier networks and small to medium-sized enterprises. Founded in early 2000 and led by senior executives from Bay Networks, Cisco, Nortel/Wellfleet and Alcatel, Crossbeam is headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, USA, and has offices in Europe and Asia Pacific. The company is backed by top-tier investors, including Focus Ventures, Tudor Ventures, Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, Commonwealth Capital Venture Partners, Intel Capital and Charles River Ventures. More information is available at www.crossbeamsystems.com.