Sourcefire Expands Real-Time Application Awareness

Capability provides users with increased network visibility

Dark Reading Staff, Dark Reading

May 25, 2010

3 Min Read
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COLUMBIA, Md., May 24, 2010 – Sourcefire, Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE), the creators of Snort' and a leader in intelligent cybersecurity solutions, today announced enhancements that provide the Sourcefire IPSTM, the industry’s leading intrusion prevention system (IPS), with real-time visibility into the specific applications running on an organization’s network. Sourcefire' is expanding its existing library of more than 200 application detectors by adding support for popular applications and services such as Gmail, HTTP and RSS, making it easier than ever to tailor IPS protection, assess the impact of threats, and enforce IT policy compliance.

“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, organizations need real-time visibility of everything on the network,” said John Burris, Chief Executive Officer of Sourcefire. “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.”

Sourcefire’s real-time application awareness capability provides users with increased network visibility, so they can better protect against application-specific threats. It offers numerous advantages over a traditional IPS, including:

* Automating the process of IPS tuning, based on specific knowledge of the network for increased security and reduced management; * Providing automated and informed impact assessment of potential threats by correlating attacks against the device, operating system, applications and potential vulnerabilities, significantly reducing the number of actionable events; * Monitoring and enforcing IT Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs), enabling IT to identify and remove unapproved operating systems and applications, thereby reducing the exposure to an attack and staying compliant.

Sourcefire can already 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. Beginning with the Sourcefire 3D' System 4.9.1 release, available now, the company has expanded its detection to an additional 12 common services and client applications, including SSH, Google Desktop, Gmail, MySpace, Picasa, RSS and popular HTTP services such as Audio, Video, QuickTime and Flash. An enhancement to the 3D System’s infrastructure included in the 4.9.1 release enables Sourcefire to expand its application detector library more frequently throughout the year.

About Sourcefire

Sourcefire, Inc. (Nasdaq:FIRE), is a world leader in intelligent 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 50 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.

SOURCEFIRE', SNORT', the Sourcefire logo, the Snort and Pig logo, SECURITY FOR THE REAL WORLD™, SOURCEFIRE DEFENSE CENTER', SOURCEFIRE 3D', RNA', RUA™, DAEMONLOGGER™, CLAMAV', and certain other trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sourcefire, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

About the Author

Dark Reading Staff

Dark Reading

Dark Reading is a leading cybersecurity media site.

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