Sourcefire, a provider of cybersecurity offerings, has introduced new enhancements that provide Sourcefire intrusion prevention system (IPS) with real-time visibility into the specific applications running on an organisation’s network.
The company is expanding its existing library of more than 200 application detectors by adding support for applications and services such as Gmail, HTTP and RSS, making it easier to assess the impact of threats and enforce IT policy compliance.
According to Sourcefire, the real-time application awareness capability provides users with increased network visibility, enabling them to better protect against application-specific threats. It automating the process of IPS tuning based on specific knowledge of the network for increased security and reduced management.
In addition, the new offering also provides automated and informed impact assessment of potential threats by correlating attacks against the device, operating system, applications and potential vulnerabilities; and monitoring and enforcing IT Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs), enabling IT to identify and remove unapproved operating systems and applications.
Sourcefire can identify more than 200 operating systems and applications including Microsoft Windows, Oracle databases, leading email programs and web browsers, popular instant messenger services, peer-to-peer applications and even gaming systems such as Xbox and Wii.
John Burris, CEO of Sourcefire, said: “Single-purpose technologies, like firewalls and traditional IPS devices, don’t provide a combined view into the context or depth of users, applications, devices and data on the network. For truly effective protection and policy management, organisations need real-time visibility of everything on the network.
“By further extending our application visibility, Sourcefire is providing users with the comprehensive intelligence they need to defend their dynamically changing networks against today’s most sophisticated threats.”
