Sweden's small business champion installs Nokia network security technology to protect national client database

ALMI, the Swedish organisation established to help finance business development and stimulate employment in the small business sector, has installed Nokia IP network security appliances to protect its communications and secure the sensitive business data of its clients.   The Nokia solution runs Check Point Software Technologies' (Nasdaq:CHKP) market-leading VPN-1®/FireWall-1® Internet security software.

 

ALMI distributes development grants to small businesses on behalf of the Swedish government and the criteria for choosing the Nokia solution were firmly set: "Nokia was chosen because it provided the best solution to protect a cost-efficient, centralized and multi-application environment, like ours at ALMI," says Clive Overton Fox, ALMI network and security manager.

 

Nokia IP network appliances have been deployed to ensure protected data access and to deliver secure and reliable communications across the operation.  The organisation's network comprises of a number of leased lines that connect each ALMI office across the country.  Mobile employees working from remote sites connect to the ALMI wide area network via the Nokia firewall.  Such remote access is set to expand from the current 50 users to between 200 and 300 users.

 

ALMI is also considering developing the Nokia-protected network to enable secure link-up with external business partners via an enhanced Virtual Private Network (VPN) system, instead of using alternative systems such as ISDN lines.

 

"ALMI is a valuable organisation providing growth and employment to Sweden's core small business sector.  Secure, reliable and scalable network solutions are paramount to the protection and distribution of commercially sensitive data.   We are pleased that ALMI sees Nokia technology as the best solution to satisfy these needs," says Ernie Jones, Nokia Internet Communications Vice President of sales, Europe, Middle-East & Africa.

 

About ALMI

ALMI distributes development grants to small businesses on behalf of the Swedish government. There are 21 ALMI-affiliated companies across Sweden, and the organisation employs more than 550 people. Approximately 750 MSEK (84m euro) is spent each year on funding small companies in a country where 95% of businesses employ less than ten people.

 

Small companies approach ALMI for a financial evaluation of their business, and, subsequently, this sensitive data is stored on ALMI's internal network.  ALMI also offers a number of services to users on the web, including discussion forums.  Additionally, ALMI provides business information to its client companies and dedicates considerable resources toward identifying SMEs (small-to medium-sized enterprises) with growth potential.

Nokia Internet Communications, headquartered in Mountain View, California, provides world-class Network Security, Virtual Private Network and Internet Traffic and Content Management solutions that ensure the security and reliability of corporate enterprise and managed service provider networks. Nokia is committed to enhancing the end user experience by bringing a new level of security and reliability to the network, enabling an Internet transaction that is personal and trusted-each and every time.

 

Nokia Internet security and virtual private network appliances span the spectrum of price/performance points, and secure the widest range of network environments-from the smallest branch office to the largest Internet data center.  The expansive product line, backed by world-class global support and services, provides customers the ability to deploy multiple solutions from a single product to secure all elements of a distributed enterprise.  For more information, please visit www.nokia.com and click on Secure Network Solutions.

 

Nokia is the leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet, Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is one of the most broadly held companies in the world, with listings on six major exchanges.

 

 

Nokia Internet Communications:

Americas

Amy Grenier, Interactive Public Relations for Nokia Internet Communications

amy@ipri.com

 

EMEA 

Claire Backhurst

Tel. +44 7788 145460

claire.backhurst@nokia.com

 

APAC 

Bonnie Datta

Tel. +6597389743

bonnie.datta@nokia.com

 

www.nokia.com