Securing Networks with Network Management Technologies

As organizations increasingly adopt network management technologies to secure their infrastructure, industry leaders like Cisco Systems and IBM are taking a prominent role in the trend. Large system management vendors, including BMC and Hewlett-Packard, are also expected to enter the market, reports an analyst. Network security solutions are becoming more sophisticated, with features such as vulnerability scanning, security log management, and compliance-report generation becoming standard.

Key Takeaways:

• The use of network management technologies is becoming a crucial aspect of securing networks, with companies like Cisco Systems and IBM at the forefront of the trend.
• Large system management vendors, including BMC and Hewlett-Packard, are likely to enter the market, expanding the range of options for organizations seeking to secure their networks.
• Altiris' Security Suite and NetIQ's Security Compliance Suite are highlighted as notable examples of network security solutions, offering features such as vulnerability scanning, security log management, and compliance-report generation.
• The use of SEM (security event management) appliances, such as that provided by Network Intelligence, can reduce manual intervention and improve log data management, while also helping organizations stay in compliance with regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley.
• A study by Network Intelligence found that firewalls generated 1,200 events per second, but the use of their SEM appliance reduced the need for manual intervention and improved log data management.
• The trend towards securing networks with network management technologies is likely to continue to evolve, according to experts.
• The Altiris Security Suite provides vulnerability scanning with remediation tools, while the Security Compliance Suite allows users to perform vulnerability scans and generate compliance reports.
• The Security Compliance Suite also enables users to centrally manage security logs and distribute agents to managed machines for real-time monitoring.

Statistics:

• 1,200: The number of events generated by firewalls per second at Calpine before implementing the SEM appliance from Network Intelligence (Source 1).
• The number of events reduced by Network Intelligence's SEM appliance: Not specified (Source 1).
• The expected market entry of large system management vendors like BMC and Hewlett-Packard: Not specified (Source 2).

Sources:

• [Dubie, 2006] - Altiris Security Suite and NetIQ's Security Compliance Suite are highlighted in a discussion of the security functions provided by network tools.
• [Source 1] - Calpine's spokesman notes that firewalls generated 1,200 events per second, and how the use of a SEM appliance from Network Intelligence improved log data management and helped the company stay in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.
• [Source 2] - Analyst commentary on the expected market entry of large system management vendors.