Reference Projects
Public Sector and Research Institutions
German Bundestag
The project goal was to provide secure Internet access for members of parliament and all Bundestag staff.
As the firewall, the system uses a high-availability GeNUGate cluster with load balancing. The solution also provides a special server for Internet authentication, and an intrusion detection system. These systems protect the connection to the Internet and another WAN. The project also includes other security hardware and an extensive package of services and training courses.
ELSTER
For ELSTER, the high-profile IT project of the German tax authorities, a highly encrypted virtual private network (VPN) was constructed with the crypto appliance GeNUBox to handle secure transfer of electronic tax returns. The VPN spans two central clearing centers in Munich and Düsseldorf, which receive the electronic tax data from businesses and private individuals, and the tax authorities of all 16 federal states (Länder). To cope with the high volumes of data involved, both node points are equipped with two GeNUBoxes, in the large-scale hardware model, which communicate with the compact GeNUBoxes at the 16 computing centers operated by the Länder.
Berlin-Bonn Information Network (IVBB)
A secure Internet connection is an essential requirement for the Berlin-Bonn Information Network (IVBB), the internal network set up by the German Federal Government. GeNUA created a high-performance solution designed for high bandwidths: a cluster of four GeNUGate firewalls, with separate servers for virus scanning and Web caching. The entire cluster is designed as a high-availability system, with redundant Internet connections, switches with backbone coupling, and layer 4 switches. GeNUA provided comprehensive project management support for the installation operation.
Ansbach Regional Authority
For the Internet connection of the Ansbach District Authority and the municipalities in the region, GeNUA created a policy based on the security guidelines of the Bavarian public authorities network. This required the installation of a central firewall handling www traffic via a separate proxy, with virus scanning and active content filters. In addition, a SquidGuard solution was integrated as a URL blocker. GeNUA is also responsible for the ongoing administration of the Internet connection and security solution.
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley
GeNUA runs the entire administration operation for the Unix clusters of the research establishment by remote access via the Internet. In addition GeNUA realized a high-performance cluster of nine Linux servern.
Mülheim City Administration
The Mülheim Municipal Administration has relied on a GeNUA firewall system to protect its Internet access since 1998. All data downloaded from the Internet are checked by a virus and content scanner, to eliminate any risks for the systems in the internal network.
Industrial and Service Companies
Hubert Burda Media
GeNUA has carried out numerous projects for Hubert Burda Media since 1995. The first contract was to design and implement a blueprint for Internet access. This was done by configuring the firewall systems to the customer’s specific requirements. Then in December 1996, GeNUA created an extensive network of firewalls at several different locations. This solution is configured to set up an automatic diversion in the event of an Internet access going down or a device failure. In 1998 GeNUA developed a special double firewall system for Burda for maximum fail-safety, similar to the GeNUGate architecture. Since 1999 Burda has had several GeNUGate systems in use, which were combined to triple-clusters at the locations Munich and Offenburg in 2005.
Klüber Lubrication
Since 2002 GeNUA has installed GeNUGate firewalls at over 20 locations of Klüber Lubrication, the international market leader in the lubrication industry, which operates in every continent through subsidiaries and associated companies. The devices are connected with an IPsec-compliant VPN network, with central control from head office in Munich, which is equipped with a fail-safe GeNUGate firewall cluster. GeNUA also has a service level agreement with Klüber for the system administration of the VPN network and all its firewalls.
MAN Group
MAN has been a major customer of GeNUA for many years. All the group’s firewall and intrusion detection & prevention systems have been designed and built by GeNUA, which also operates as system administrator and manages virtually all of the group’s IT security projects.
MAN operates its own Internet backbone, to which group entities and branch establishments throughout Germany are connected via firewall systems. With the tougher demands continually being placed on IT security systems, these systems are now progressively being retrofitted with GeNUGate firewall clusters. Many subsidiaries abroad are also being integrated into the network via the Internet, using MPLS technology.
RTL II
A high-availability Internet connection is essential for the private-sector TV channel RTL II, which also requires a very high standard of IT security. Since 1998 the channel has used a GeNUGate firewall to meet its security needs. This was then extended into a cluster in 2003 in conjunction with the changeover to a more powerful Internet connection. GeNUA also handles the system management, including the continuous updating of virus patterns.
telegate AG
telegate AG has been a GeNUA customer since 1998. We assist the leading provider of directory assistance in Europe in securing their intranet, as well as Internet access from numerous company sites. To do so, various models of the GeNUGate firewall were installed, ranging up to high availability clusters and a VPN with GeNUBox appliances. In addition, GeNUA consults this customer in the planning of IT security, implements new solutions and handles system operations.
