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Panda Software will introduce the latest version of its enterprise security suite on June 1, adding new tools for analyzing potential threats and user IT policy compliance, along with a revamped firewall and expanded administration controls.
Labeled as EnterpriSecure 2006, the primary addition to the package of security programs is Pandas TruPrevent detection technology, which promises to help companies watch out for viruses and other attacks, as well as attempts by workers to circumvent network security policies.
TruPrevent is built around the Glendale, Calif., companys Genetic Heuristic Engine, the companys underlying technology for determining a files nature, malicious or otherwise, by looking at a wide sampling of its characteristics.
Company officials said that Pandas latest firewall application represents another improvement over earlier versions of its software.
By incorporating so-called DPI (deep-packet inspection), another form of scouring computer files for all their contents, Panda maintains that its firewall can detect a number of emerging buffer overflow exploits currently being used by hackers that other vendors have yet to address.
Overall, the new release marks the firms continued push to become a soup-to-nuts provider of network defense applications, also known as HIPS (host intrusion protection systems), that tackles viruses, spyware, spam and most other forms of IT threats.
Increasing functionality for administrators while providing more automated tools for addressing problems remains the companys core focus, said Patrick Hinojosa, chief technology officer at Panda.
Using HIPS-based systems, potential viruses and other intrusions are handled locally on a users computer before being allowed to enter a companys network.
Proponents of the approach, including security software market leaders such as McAfee and Cisco Systems, contend that the technology specifically gives companies a more effective way of protecting themselves from threats introduced by remote workers, or from outsiders allowed to gain access to their operations.
“Most enterprises are using wholly reactive technologies to protect their networks, which ultimately fail due to the speed at which new exploit code propagates itself,” Hinojosa said.
“The only way to protect your operations more effectively is through the use of a proactive HIPS engine that can identify threats before they enter the network; one that isnt troubled by the high level of false positives that earlier heuristics-based technologies were known for.”
Hinojosa said that Pandas key differentiator over its rivals is its detection technologys ability to determine the difference between actual threats and legitimate programs, creating fewer false positives, which waste the time and attention of IT administrators.
Another of the companys strengths is its ability to stay ahead of new attacks via the research work of its Panda Labs division, he said.
Among the other upgrades offered in EnterpriSecure 2006 is a new anti-phishing application which uses black lists of fraudulent Web sites and HTML format analysis of URLs sent in e-mail messages to help predict whether they are legitimate or malicious.
Other additions to the product include support for 64-bit computing platforms, and integration with Ciscos NAC (Network Access Control) security technology.
Panda is simultaneously releasing a version of the security suite aimed at SMBs (small and midsize businesses) dubbed BusinesSecure 2006.
The package offers many of the same technologies as the Enterprise suite, some of which have been adapted for faster installation.