Security remains the number-one concern for global enterprises, and yet many organizations adopt a patchwork approach to network security. Firewalls, intrusion detection products and antivirus software are effective, but they don't provide the enterprise-wide protection needed to safeguard against today's more sophisticated attacks.

Enterasys' philosophy is that the entire network infrastructure must be an active participant in the security strategy. We believe in embedding security intelligence pervasively—from the edge to the core—to better anticipate the multitude of threats and still keep the business running strong. That's our Secure Networks™ architecture.

The Secure Networks Difference

• Embedded security provides pervasive, end-to-end protection
• System-level security management delivers automated response to threats—the fastest response in the industry
• Common policy management brings complete visibility and granular control
• Open architecture supports multivendor devices and applications

Fact is, we've been building the most Secure Networks since 1995!

Security Products vs. Security Architecture
Let's be clear. Obviously there is a place for security products in today's network infrastructures. Firewalls, anti-virus software, authentication solutions, etc. all enhance an enterprise's security posture. In fact, Enterasys itself develops and ships some of the leading security-specific products in the industry. Our Dragon® Security Suite of intrusion and network defense products, for example, is award-winning and plays an integral role in Enterasys and non-Enterasys networks worldwide.

However, we do believe there is a distinct difference between adding security products as needed and integrating them as part of a larger security architecture.

The product-centric approach. The conventional or product-centric approach reflects a buying pattern primarily based upon solving the latest security problem. Less thought is given to how these point products can be integrated within an enterprise-wide communications strategy.

The product-centric approach to security tends to reflect a network that has evolved in response to particular security events, rather than as a holistic strategy that is implemented from a high level. Each individual solution in this approach is targeted at parts of the overall security problem, yet the discrete components are not integrated in any meaningful manner. As a result, IT managers find themselves with the problem of managing security at a number of distinct points, each separated by the various technologies being used.

Many of these security products also feature proprietary technologies that do not speak with the other security solutions in place, making it difficult to fashion any sort of meaningful centralized and integrated network security strategy. The result is a security operation that seems bolted on to the infrastructure, and that works in a reactive and patchwork fashion.

The architectural approach. Unlike the product-centric approach, a security architecture leverages the entire network infrastructure as an active participant in the security strategy. It embeds security intelligence pervasively across the network to more effectively detect and respond to threats when and where they occur.

An architectural strategy takes advantage of the network infrastructure as an integration point for security intelligence and capabilities, rather than applying security as an afterthought to the network. Architecturally-based network security features centralized and singular administration, as well as the ability to integrate security technologies to create a seamless security environment.

Additionally, architecturally-based security strategies use open system and standard models to ensure interoperability and ease of integration. The result is pervasive security that lets the network react to threats wherever they occur, regardless of where IT staff is physically located. If an event occurs, this kind of network can pinpoint the problem at the point of entry and then trigger an array or responses, from alerting IT staff to quarantining ports and redirecting traffic.

Because every layer of the network participates in security in the architectural approach, IT can use a “one-click, fix-many” solution that extends rules or policies across the entire infrastructure.

A Secure Network in Action
With Enterasys' Secure Networks, all components of the infrastructure work together to create a powerful, hardened infrastructure that not only protects the enterprise from threats, but does so with such precision and responsiveness that it won't interfere with mission-critical business operations.
See for yourself…

Business Demo

IT Demo