Juniper Networks, Inc. and Microsoft today announced a global agreement to deliver high-performance security solutions that enhance protection for Internet Protocol (IP) networks, services and applications. The companies are collaborating to provide end-to-end security with superior levels of quality and reliability to address the current and emerging needs of their service provider customers. With this agreement, Juniper can offer IPTV network security solutions to customers of Microsoft TV IPTV Edition.

The Juniper Firewall and Firewall IDP (Intrusion Detection and Prevention) product platforms complement the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition content security mechanisms to help protect the infrastructure from malicious traffic and attacks such as worms, trojans, spyware and application layer threats. In addition, Juniper will offer various security consulting services that assist operators to assess service infrastructure vulnerabilities and design network security solutions.

The Juniper security products offer cost-effective scale and performance, enabling operators to protect large numbers of video serving platforms. The security products include:

• Juniper Networks NetScreen-5200 and NetScreen-5400 Integrated Firewall/IPSec Virtual Private Network (VPN) appliances that are purpose-built, dynamic security appliances with industry-leading flexibility and performance capabilities to protect service provider networks and network data centers;
• Juniper Networks Integrated Security Gateway (ISG) 1000 and 2000 with Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) appliances that provide strong access control, secure communications and network and application-level security. These products lower the total cost of ownership for deploying best-in-class firewall, VPN and intrusion prevention services.
• Juniper Networks NetScreen-Security Manager that provides easy-to-use centralized management to control all aspects of the Juniper Networks Firewall/IPSec VPN appliances including device configuration, network settings and security policy.

"As the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition platform continues to gain momentum with leading service providers worldwide, Microsoft is committed to building upon its IPTV solution with leading technologies that will contribute to the success and adoption of IPTV services," said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV. "Juniper delivers a unique security solution for the IP infrastructure that will add a layer of network security and enable operators to more reliably utilize IP networks to deliver a range of next-generation television services and experiences."

"As providers continue to bundle IPTV into their multiservice offerings, the highest levels of quality, performance and reliability are required to both help secure the network and assure the subscribers' experience," said Rob Sturgeon, executive vice president, Security Products Group, Juniper Networks. "This alliance with Microsoft enables us to address these requirements and be a part of their ecosystem that delivers an end-to-end IPTV solution to service provider customers worldwide."