SWIFT buys in 10,000 NetScreen products

SWIFT, the international banking network, has bought 3,300 purpose built firewall and VPN solutions to secure its messaging network and expects to implement more than 10,000 security appliances by the end of 2004.

"[We are] committed to delivering the highest possible levels of availability and security throughout its data network," said Didier Verstichel, director of worldwide networks, SWIFT. "The robust features and security benefits of the NetScreen's products were key deciding factors for SWIFT."

SWIFT provides network connectivity in 200 countries for 7,500 financial institutions, including banks and stock exchanges, to exchange payments and stock trades.

"SWIFT's data infrastructure is one of the most robust security environments in the world," said David Flynn, NetScreen's vice-president of marketing. "Our ability to offer security devices to suit members' needs maximizes the quality of security SWIFT is able to offer."

The company has deployed NetScreen-5XT appliances at user network connections to secure VPN connections into the corporate networks.