Security Feature

Protecting the network has always been important, and if it's ever been possible for it to be more important, it likely is now. The increased use of the network in general means even more call to protect it, and PFU Systems and FireEye (News - Alert) are stepping up to produce a powerful new option in computer security.

The combined effort produced the iNetSec Smart Finder Network Access Controller FireEye Edition (iNetSec FE), a platform that brings together PFU Systems (News - Alert)' network access control and FireEye's Network Security system. The combined system offers a variety of benefits for users, including the ability to find and respond to threats at a variety of points in the network. Not just a perimeter defense system—though that's certainly involved—the system also covers subnets and even endpoints, allowing for better defenses to follow.

The system also has countermeasures related to the removal of data from the system, allowing network use to be blocked even for devices that have already undergone authentication procedures. Device visibility systems allow for better intrusion protection, and even latent threats can be spotted and IT admins notified without having to block devices that haven't been compromised. Those interested in putting it to work, meanwhile, can do so now at no additional cost for current iNetSec Smart Finder and FireEye NX users, according to reports. Contacting an authorized reseller will be all that's needed to make this happen.

FireEye's vice president of its cyber security coalition, Ed Barry, commented “PFU's breakthrough device discovery and blocking, and innovative internal network threat containment are a great complement to the FireEye platform. PFU Systems is increasingly deployed by enterprises for its solution and, with this new integration, enterprise customers have a new layer of defense against advanced attacks.”

While network security should never be just a matter of perimeter defense, the good part about the PFU / FireEye system is that it's putting a whole lot into system defense. It's covering the perimeter, and it's also covering inside the system as well. That's a development that should bolster system security in grand style, and make the entire network safer and easier to use as a result. The discriminating nature of the defense is a particularly noteworthy development, and though I'm always enthusiastic about seeing encryption added to a standard defense mechanism, this one looks almost unusually robust. This is the kind of security that might well make encryption unnecessary, at least in the short term, though it's not out of line to suggest that, before long, someone will find away around the PFU / FireEye combination.

Still, this is a soundly advanced protective measure, and one that should help keep systems much safer in the end. Those desiring the fullest protection may do well to keep encryption in mind, but this is still a fine start.