Tools give more insight to stop network attacks

Juniper Networks has released version 4.0 of its Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) platform and a new version of its NetScreen Security Manager (NSM) package to control configuration, network settings and security policies for its security appliances.

Juniper security strategist Anton Grashion said, “NSM 2006.1 will now manage standalone IDP sensors. We’ve been able to do this in our ISG security appliances, but now we can do this from a single management console – so you get IDP, firewall rules and IPSec VPNs in the same bundle.”

NSM 2006.1 includes tools to pick out data to help network staff tune security policies. For instance, in this release a Profiler gives a detailed view of application protocols running over the network; a Security Explorer shows the interactions between hosts; and a Dashboard gives a centralised view of top attacks and host and device status.

This upgrade to Juniper’s IDP platform provides more threat-prevention capabilities for voice over IP (VoIP) applications and protection for cellular data networks, and flaws in database comms.

“The application visibility and control enhancements in IDP 4.0 will help network staff get insights and manage the applications that you don’t know you’re managing, like peer-to-peer instant messaging, and VoIP applications like Skype,” commented Grashion

IDP 4.0 and NSM 2006.1 are available now for download for existing IDP appliance and NSM customers with active support contracts.