Enterprise Security Solutions

A few years back, a conversation on security solutions was generally limited to Antivirus products or security features within the operating system. Today security solutions are available for every stage of the network. These can be broadly categorized as:

Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Tools

They help in identifying vulnerabilities and likelihood of damage, and provide possible defensive measures. E.g. - Cybercop scanner from Network Associates (NAI) checks the system against a database of 750 vulnerabilities, and generates reports. The software identifies holes in network and gives reports in a graphical format indicating high, medium and low-risk cases.

Firewalls

Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

Nortel offers Alteon Switch Firewall (ASF). Integrated in Layer 4 switches, the ASF offers 4.2 Gbps throughput and has firewall and content screening capabilities.

Virtual Private Network

Many companies are creating VPNs (virtual private networks) to accommodate the needs of telecommuters and distant offices. VPN is a private network that uses a public network (usually the Internet) to connect remote sites or users together. VPN uses 'virtual' connections routed through the Internet from the remote site/employee to the company's private network.

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* Contributed by: -
Prasun Goel,
PGDM (2nd Year)
Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development,
SCMHRD, Pune