Network Computing is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Switch Vendors Join the Security Battle

The new switch capabilities should help with this process. For example, Alcatel's Automated Quarantine Engine switch technology works with IDSs (intrusion-detection systems) to isolate worm-infected machines for remediation. Cisco has enabled its Catalyst switches to defend against worms and DDoS attacks. And Enterasys' Automated Security Manager can use an IDS to help provide policy-based control on its switches.

These capabilities could be a new line of defense for enterprises fighting traffic-based attacks. IT departments should welcome switch vendors to the war.