October 22, 2002 : Nokia has been chosen by The Courts Group to secure its global corporate network using Nokia IP network security appliances integrating the market-leading VPN-1®/FireWall-1® software from its global partner Check Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ: CHKP). The Courts Group is headquartered in London with 100 shops across the UK and Ireland and at least a further 200 stores and offices in 20 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and South East Asia. As a large conglomerate the key deciding criteria focused on manageability of the system chosen, ease of deployment and central management from its corporate head office in the UK.
With a global network to manage, it was essential that Courts could rely on a secure and flexible Internet-based network for its data. With these requirements in mind, it chose Nokia’s network security appliances integrating Check Point’s VPN and firewall software.
Network backbone capacity across the group ranges from 16Mbps Token Ring to 100Mbps Ethernet, and sites are connected to the main network and the Internet via leased lines at speeds of between 64Kbps and 2Mbps. Such a varied system called for central management control. The management hub in London, UK, which is backed by a powerful Nokia IP440 IP network security appliance supporting all the other worldwide sites, offers this management.
Richard Turnbull, Head of International IT Infrastructure, Courts PLC says of the company's requirements: "Our network security and VPN needs were a myriad of criteria : data encryption, VPN connectivity between sites, bandwidth control and traffic prioritisation, reporting on usage including attacks and misuse, reliability and stability, central management, and a secure solution for remote administration. We have achieved all the criteria with the Nokia solution."
As well as the main IP440 VPN hub, Courts has also installed four IP330 appliances in Jamaica, Trinidad, Malaysia and Singapore, and 15 entry-level IP120 devices at smaller-sized locations in countries including South Africa, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Dominica, Barbados, Mauritius, and Guyana.
To secure its Singapore branch office, Courts has also installed an IP71 device that integrates Check Point’s VPN-1®/FireWall-1® SmallOffice(TM) software, a cost-effective security solution that delivers enterprise class security to remote/branch offices and small businesses.
All Nokia appliances are positioned on the perimeter of Courts' global network and data between sites is encrypted and decrypted between these points of presence to protect mission-critical tasks using the Nokia IP network security appliances.
Turnbull adds, “Nokia's easy-to-install appliances were chosen above alternative solutions offered by companies including Cisco and Symantec. An appliance-based solution like Nokia's is far more efficient and cost effective to use than alternatives being run over Windows NT, for instance.”
The Courts group is very much a growing company and the scalability offered by Nokia - from small office solutions to systems able to manage truly global networks - will enable the further growth envisaged at the Courts Group.
“The fact that such a well-known name on the high street has put it’s confidence in the security solutions we offer, further illustrates how reliable our technology is,” says Ernie Jones, Nokia Internet Communications vice president of sales, Europe, Middle East & Africa. “We look forward to supporting their business growth in the future.”
About Courts Plc
The Courts Group, which is based in the United Kingdom and is quoted on the London Stock Exchange, comprises over 300 stores in 20 countries, with approx 100 in England, Wales and Ireland, plus over 200 stores in a further 18 countries overseas. Courts (UK) Ltd is registered under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to provide credit facilities. Courts (UK) Limited.
About Nokia Internet Communications
Nokia Internet Communications, headquartered in Mountain View, California, provides world-class Network Security, Virtual Private Network and Internet Traffic 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 and Internet transaction that is personal and trusted-each and every time.
For more information, please visit www.nokia.com and click on Secure Network Solutions. 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.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world 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 broadband 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 a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
For more information (Media and Industry Analysts only please):
Nokia Internet Communications:
Americas (California based)
Amy Grenier, Interactive Public Relations for Nokia Internet Communications
Tel. +1 415 975 3354
amy@ipri.com
EMEA (UK based)
Claire Backhurst
Tel. +44 7788 145460
claire.backhurst@nokia.com
APAC (Singapore based)
Bonnie Datta
Tel. +6597389743
bonnie.datta@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
Courts PLC
Richard Turnbull
Head of International IT Infrastructure
Tel. +44 20 8410 9243
rturnbull@courts.plc.uk