Internet Security Systems Launches New Strategy

ISS CEO Tom Noonan described the strategy, called Dynamic Threat Protection, as revolutionary.

"We have to look at a system that dynamically detects a problem, which is either a threat or a vulnerability. We have to detect that, prevent that, and we have to be able to respond to those incidents," he said at a press event held here at the vendor's headquarters.

To that end, the company will release a new version of its SiteProtector centralized management system that will manage ISS RealSecure sensors on networks and servers and also on desktops, he said.

SiteProtector 2.0, along with a new module called Fusion that ISS will release in March, will make it easier for companies to manage their enterprise security by correlating active threats and vulnerabilities and reducing the number of alerts, he said.

"There are active threats on networks every day, but whether they will cause you a problem or not is the critical piece of information that makes you take action," he said.

ISS has been a market leader with its intrusion-detection systems and vulnerability assessment scanning software. "This is somewhat of a coming-out party for the true dynamic integration of these," Noonan said.

Intrusion detection was the "first step in the process," but IDS systems have been associated with false alarms, he said.

In addition to reducing false alarms with Fusion, SiteProtector 2.0 automates more features to make it easier for companies to manage their networks, said Matthew Ward, an ISS product manager. For example, sensors can be managed in groups that can be scheduled to receive updates automatically, he said. The product is slated for availability Jan. 29.

ISS also announced a partnership with Crossbeam Systems, Concord, Mass., to offer its intrusion protection software on Crossbeam's X40S security appliance. Crossbeam consolidates third-party security technologies into a single device. The first product from the partnership, slated for release this quarter, will incorporate the ISS RealSecure Network 7.0.

"We're working with ISS to identify common channel partners who can consolidate the complete solution," said Kurt Bertone, vice president of business development at Crossbeam.

In addition, ISS said it will work with PowerTech, Kent, Wash., to provide security for IBM iSeries servers and AS/400s.