Cisco Systems Inc. continues to broaden its portfolio of security management tools with the introduction of 14 new and enhanced security management, threat protection and VPN offerings.
Among the upgraded offerings is the Cisco IP Solutions Center Version 3.0 Security Technology Module, which allows users to set up common configurations for multiple virtual private network devices from a central location and push those out to remote sites.
The tool, introduced last week, also allows the VPN tunnels to be pushed out from a central location to remote locations, according to early user Carol Henson, director of IT for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, in St. Louis. The organization is using Cisco IP Solutions Center 3.0 as part of a rollout of 2,500 VPNs to field offices, replacing more costly frame relay links.
The module provides an audit trail function, ensuring that “every VPN we install will be installed the same way,” Henson said. “If we have to make a change, we can make it within the VPN and use [the Cisco Intelligence Engine 2100 Series] to keep them all in sync.”
Cisco also introduced Cisco Security Device Manager Version 1.0, which manages Internetwork Operating System-based security functions for Cisco 830- and 3700-series access routers. CiscoWorks Security Information Management Solution 3.1 adds enhanced event scoring, business impact and threat analysis to the base security event monitoring function.
Version 2.2 of CiscoWorks VPN/Security Management Solution integrates administrative control of the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Firewall and VPN services modules, monitoring of Cisco intrusion detection systems, and support for the new Cisco Security Agent.