NCP engineering (http://www.ncp-e.com/) has announced the availability of a new entry version of its IPsec VPN client suite compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 and Snow Leopard 10.6 operating systems. It enables remote workers to securely connect to their corporate networks.

IPsec VPN supports authentication and features NCP's Path Finder technology, which is used in conjunction with the NCP Secure Enterprise Server. It also includes a personal firewall and FIPS inside

The NCP Secure Mac Client supports the Extensible Authentication Protocols (EAP) MD5 and Transport Layer Security (TLS). Companies that use 802.1x-enabled switches or Wi-Fi access points can further prevent unauthorized users from entering local area networks (LANs).

NCP has also integrated a split tunneling mode into its IPsec VPN client. Split tunneling allows for concurrent connections to target systems within the Internet and to the company network through the VPN tunnel. This new configuration regulates which DNS requests are directed through the tunnel, and which are blocked or allowed to bypass it.

IT administrators can directly share hotspot log-on details and roaming policies with remote employees. They can put these common end-user FAQs on a local HTML page on the NCP Secure Mac Client’s interface, to try and reduce the number of helpdesk calls.

The client gives remote staff daily VPN configuration and management tips and feature information via the HTML page on its interface. NCP Secure Mac Client users choose whether or not to activate this feature, and whether to display it on the client interface or in a drop-down menu bar.

A free, 30-day trial of the NCP Secure Mac Client is available. Contact NCP engineering for pricing options.