The days of simply providing a user name and password for network access surely are numbered. Pursuing the new grail of policy-based access control, the ECS (Elemental Compliance System) Version 1.1 is a server-based system that uses small Java agents on Windows, Red Hat Linux, and Sun Solaris hosts to collect system information and to monitor and control all computer access on the network. Based on the details of the access policy, the agent may allow a computer to connect to a group of hosts while denying connections to others.
ECS knows all about each system the agent is installed on. There are literally hundreds of attributes an ECS agent reports back to the server for classification. ECS agents not only run integrity checks on hosts and enforce client-side configuration policies, but also provide a mechanism for managing hosts not running the agent, gathering information about unmanaged hosts and dynamically placing them into an “unknown” group. Managed hosts will then either allow or deny connections from the unknown computers based on the defined “unknown hosts” policy.
I tested this feature recently by deploying the ECS agent on two Windows Server 2003 servers and attempting to connect to both from another PC with valid domain credentials. Because my PC was unknown to ECS and the unknown host policy was to deny all connection attempts, I was completely blocked from my servers.
The ECS server allows you to express policies that govern host configurations and all communications among hosts throughout the network; controlling rogues represents just a small slice of what this innovative product can do. I’ll plumb the depths of ECS’s capabilities in an upcoming review.
Elemental Compliance System V.1.1
Elemental
Cost: Starts at approximately $100,000
Availability: May 17, 2005
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
Recommend This
