Suite checks compliance in real time

Sourcefire announces what it calls the industry's first automated network compliance system

Network security vendor Sourcefire has announced what it described as the industry's first automated network compliance system.

Sourcefire's Real-time Network Awareness (RNA) 4.0 can convert RNA network traffic and behaviour data into a compliance policy at the click of a mouse, said the vendor. RNA 4.0 gives users the ability to define and set network compliance policies.

The system will then raise an immediate alert if there is a policy change and "assets in breach" are quarantined to keep them clear of network traffic. Sourcefire said RNA 4.0 also has an easy-to-use dashboard so IT staff can see real-time reports on compliance.

RNA 4.0 will be generally available in an appliance or blade-ready software in the fourth quarter of this year.

"Sourcefire is redefining critical aspects of real-time network compliance enforcement," said Scott Crawford, senior analyst at consultancy EMA. "Auditors are taking a dim view of companies that simply report on compliance at isolated points in time. The demands of maintaining network security coupled with mandates to assure continuous compliance oblige administrators to maintain compliance on a persistent basis."

Sourcefire founder Martin Roesch said, "RNA was invented to provide the real-time-all-of-the-time network intelligence needed to transform the efficiency of network intrusion detection and prevention. With the 'One-click Compliance' functionality of RNA 4.0, our customers will be able to realise dramatic gains in efficiency as they enforce compliance with their IT security policy."