Sourcefire Announces Virtual Appliances

Virtualize security " Leveraging cost- and energy-saving benefits of virtual security appliances to improve security efficiency

As part of the Sourcefire 3D System 4.9, the new virtual appliances allow organizations to inspect traffic between virtual machines, while also making it easier to deploy and manage sensors at remote sites where resources may be limited. They also enable Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and cloud computing companies to easily implement Sourcefire's leading security solutions for increased protection. MSSPs can configure multiple Virtual Defense Centers to support multiple customers from a single VMware server, increasing the efficiency of management efforts.

"As companies move more of their critical information and applications into virtual environments, it is becoming increasingly important to implement innovative security solutions to protect those assets," said Tom McDonough, President and COO at Sourcefire. "The new Virtual 3D Sensor and Defense Center deliver leading protection for both physical and virtual environments, so that our customers are never forced to sacrifice security or efficiency. They will have the flexibility to select the physical or virtual solution to meet their specific infrastructure requirements."

Users can deploy Virtual 3D Sensors on VMware ESX and ESXi platforms to inspect traffic between two or more virtual machines (VMs), while also using physical Sourcefire 3D Sensors to inspect traffic going into and out of a VMware virtual environment. Deployed as software running within VMs, the Virtual 3D Sensor also makes it easier for users to inspect traffic on remote segments of the network where local IT security resources may not exist (e.g., retail stores, remote offices) or where little rack space remains in the datacenter.

The Virtual 3D Sensor will provide simultaneous execution of Sourcefire IPSTM, RNA' (Real-time Network Awareness) and RUA (Real-time User Awareness) functions. Customers can deploy the Virtual Defense Center to monitor any combination of up to 25 virtual or physical 3D Sensors. They can also opt to monitor their Virtual 3D Sensors from the same physical Defense Center they use to monitor their physical 3D Sensors.

Policy Management, Visibility and Control for Cloud, Virtual and Large Network Deployments In addition to the new virtual appliances, Sourcefire 3D System 4.9 delivers new policy management capabilities that allow organizations to easily customize security to support the varying user requirements of expansive multi-department/organization networks, as well as virtualization and cloud computing implementations. With the industry's first Policy Layering capability, Sourcefire users can create policy "building blocks" to capture specific Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) requirements by organization, by site, by department, or even by user.

Sourcefire is enhancing its market-leading dashboard to include new custom query widgets, providing users with increased control over the way data is presented. With Sourcefire 3D System 4.9, Sourcefire is also improving the overall manageability and detection accuracy of RNA to include new application and service detectors, auto-configuration and simplified packet-level forensics.

The Sourcefire 3D System 4.9 release, including the Virtual 3D Sensors and Virtual Defense Center, will be available during the second half of 2009. For more information, please contact a Sourcefire Sales representative or your local reseller.

About Sourcefire Sourcefire, Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE), Snort creator and open source innovator, is a world leader in Cybersecurity solutions. Sourcefire is transforming the way Global 2000 organizations and government agencies manage and minimize network security risks. Sourcefire's IPS and Real-time Adaptive Security solution equips customers with an efficient and effective layered security defense " protecting network assets before, during and after an attack. Through the years, Sourcefire has been consistently recognized for its innovation and industry leadership by customers, media and industry analysts alike " with more than 40 awards and accolades. Today, the names Sourcefire and founder Martin Roesch have grown synonymous with innovation and network security intelligence. For more information about Sourcefire, please visit http://www.sourcefire.com.