Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity
    • Networking

    Cisco Bolsters Network Defenses

    By
    Paul F. Roberts
    -
    September 27, 2005
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Cisco Systems Inc. on Tuesday announced a host of new products and services that extend the companys Self-Defending Network security program and protect against so-called “zero day” Internet attacks.

      The San Jose, Calif., networking equipment maker announced a new Incident Control System that will combine security intelligence from Trend Micro Inc. with Cisco routers and switches, as well as updates to its IOS (Internetwork Operating System) and IPS (Intrusion Prevention Systems) software that will help prevent malicious code outbreaks.

      The new security programs are the first major update to the Self-Defending Network program in months. They address customer demands for new tools that can protect against previously unknown threats and spread protection across an entire network, said Joel McFarland, manager of security product management at Cisco.

      The new Incident Control System, or ICS, combines real-time intelligence from Trend Micros TrendLabs with Cisco routers and switches, as well as dedicated IPS appliances and multi-function devices like the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance.

      Cisco customers will use a new piece of middleware called the Cisco Incident Control Server, which uses Trend technology to create security policies that will mandate particular actions based on the Trend intelligence. For example, a new virus or worm that is spreading through a specific communications port would trigger a policy to block that port. The ICS device will transmit that policy to Cisco routers and switches as new ACLs (access control lists) that block the targeted port, McFarland said.

      Once a new threat is better understood, an IPS signature can be distributed that identifies and blocks the specific virus or worm traffic, without requiring the port to be closed, he said.

      Cisco and Trend Micro already have strong ties. Trend is a member of Ciscos Network Admission Control (NAC) program. Trends worm and virus signatures are also used in Ciscos IPS products, McFarland said.

      Also on Tuesday, Cisco unveiled technology that allows companies to centrally control IPS devices on an enterprise network.

      Distributed Threat Mitigation for Cisco IPS is a new collaborative system that distributes updated IPS signatures to all Cisco routers when new, active threats are detected. Cisco customers who use an updated version of the companys Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (CS MARS) system will be able to push threat mitigation instructions across enterprise networks to Cisco routers that have IPS services enabled.

      The Distributed Threat Mitigation is a change from traditional IPS deployments, which focus on blocking threats locally, but dont coordinate attack data with other IPS installations in other areas of the network, McFarland said.

      Finally, Cisco is releasing updates to its IOS operating system and IPS Sensor Software.

      IPS Sensor Version 5.1 will allow companies to expand the kinds of traffic that can be inspected by the IPS device to include MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) VPN sessions, Internet Protocol version 6.

      /zimages/6/28571.gifCyberSource will take over embattled CardSystems. Click here to read more.

      An updated version of IOS, 12.44t, includes expanded features for creating ACLs. Cisco administrators can now create ACLs that do deep packet inspection, looking at packet header information, code offsets and pattern matching, McFarland said.

      Ciscos new ICS and Distributed Threat Management products will be available in October. ICS starts at $9,200, and Distributed Threat Management will be available to CS-MARS customers who have purchased a support contract.

      The updated version of Cisco IPS is due out this month. The next update to IOS is due in November, Cisco said.

      Simpler-Webb Inc. evaluated the new ICS technology and found that it was useful for pushing out ACL filters to a large number of routers and switches, said Jeff Simpler, CEO of the Austin, Texas-based managed security services and consulting firm.

      “Its another way to rollout a specially-tuned signature fast. Youve got one server to go to, versus doing a massive update to all your signatures on all your (IPS) sensors,” he said.

      However, the ICS product has some blind spots, Simpler said.

      “We dont know how affective it will be when a worm comes out that uses a well-known port like Port 80 [used for Web traffic]. You cant filter that,” he said.

      Editors Note: This story was updated to include comments from a Simpler-Webb official.

      /zimages/6/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest security news, reviews and analysis. And for insights on security coverage around the Web, take a look at eWEEK.com Security Center Editor Larry Seltzers Weblog.

      Paul F. Roberts
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×