Security gets simple
Both products are designed to make security management easier. This is important because managing enterprise security has grown increasingly complex, and many companies don't do the job properly--not because they don't care, but because they don't know how. There's a shortage of skilled managers, and other factors present a challenge. For one thing, it takes sufficiently long to really learn network security, and the topic is complex. And rarely do well-qualified, well-paid workers jump around these days. (Those of you reading this who are highly-skilled security managers but who are not making a lot of money should probably check into that.) As a result, you need to do more with less; simplified security management tools would really help.
That's exactly what Check Point and McAfee have in mind.
SmartDefense, for example, takes what was once a complex task--managing the company's Firewall-1--and makes it easy. Now, users will get a graphical interface, and make configuration changes with check boxes. Check Point will tell customers what the newest threats are, and when necessary, will make changes to its software to handle them. The updated software will also enable appropriate changes to the firewall to counter the new threats.
McAfee's SecurityCenter, on the other hand, measures network vulnerability, then rates it on a 10-point scale. SecurityCenter also looks at each user's computer for vulnerabilities and rates that, as well. This way, the network security manager can tell how vulnerable his network is to hackers, and whether any of the computers on the network are open to attack. As you'd expect, McAfee's product draws heavily from its anti-virus software, and the product will be able to assess the virus threat in your area. The bottom line is that you don't need to be a real guru to find out if your network has any major holes.
Products such as these do not mean, of course, that you can hire just anyone off the street to manage your network security. Though SmartDefense may help configure firewalls, for example, there's a lot more that needs fixing on every network. And SecurityCenter will uncover problems, but someone still needs to plug the holes it finds.
The advantage to these products is not that they eliminate the need for trained staff, but rather that they reduce the level of training needed to perform some actions. That, in turn, means you can hire more junior people and still keep your enterprise secure. Making security simple is a good idea. Using products such as SmartDefense and Security Center go a long way to making it easier.
Do you plan to simplify your security management with any new products? Talkback below or e-mail us with your thoughts.
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