Building an effective security infrastructure presents a significant challenge because of the number and wide variety of security threats, and the complexity of today's information networks.
Most telecom service providers and enterprises have implemented first-generation security solutions to manage their networks' security. But this has resulted in the need to manage a complex set of multivendor products for their own networks and for providing managed network security services to their customers.
Today, telecommunications companies must also provide differentiated and complimentary next-generation network (NGN), IP-based multimedia services. Many companies have started to move to a more scalable, manageable and reliable IP-based infrastructure based on commercial, off-the-shelf systems.
Security solutions for your next-generation network
IBM is a leader in providing security hardware, services and software offerings. We work with key network security ISVs to deliver a portfolio of IBM Systems-based security products and services to help you meet the security challenge.
Together with our partners, we've developed and integrated security solutions designed to help you build a comprehensive and cost-effective security infrastructure that can be deployed quickly.
IBM Systems: The security application platform of choice IBM System x and IBM BladeCenter® servers offer an attractive, cost-effective foundation for a security infrastructure with security features such as:
- Self- diagnostics. Servers alert IT staff to potential problems so that staff can respond before detected problems result in service disruptions.
- Configuration control. The configuration controls of IBM Director system-management software are protected by rich security to help prevent any unauthorized configuration changes.
- Secure remote administration. Administrators can manage the servers from virtually any place at any time over a link protected by rich security.
- Secure remote monitoring. Administrators can monitor the servers to track server activity from virtually any place at any time over a secure link protected by rich security.
- Lights-out support. Automated, policy-driven capabilities prevent unauthorized internal users from entering the system from an unattended xSeries server console.
Managed security services
IBM managed services and IBM Business Partner-managed services are designed to complement the in-house capabilities of your business. IBM can work with your business to plan, design, construct and operate a security-rich environment for your online applications and transactions. Services include:
- IBM Managed Security Services (MSS). IBM can help you evaluate current security, detect misuse and violations, respond to incidents and implement changes to improve defenses.
- Managed, Dedicated and Virtual Firewall Services. IBM can install, configure and manage dedicated firewall devices in your hosting environment with your choice of systems and optional high-availability configurations. Or IBM can connect your hosting infrastructure to a virtual service architecture, capable of dispensing firewall capacity on demand.
- IBM Intrusion Detection Services. Using state-of-the-art intrusion detection tools, these services are designed to monitor your networks at all times. IBM can work closely with your security team to define and coordinate appropriate responses for accurate and efficient handling of incidents.
Security and privacy
IBM designs and delivers the security architecture and infrastructure necessary to build trusted, network-based communications. Particular attention is paid to four major requirements: identity management, data integrity, threat management and security governance.
- IBM Assessment and Planning Services analyze current security and privacy controls and propose solutions for improvements.
- IBM Architecture and Design Services provide the policies, standards and overall security architecture.
- IBM Implementation Services identify the best technology solutions, build prototypes and perform the integration and test activities required to bring solutions securely online.
- IBM Management Services monitor ongoing activity and respond accordingly. IBM delivers these proven services quickly and consistently
IBM network security solution partners
- Check Point Software Technologies. Check Point provides solutions designed to help secure business communications and resources for corporate networks, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company's solutions offer price and performance through Check Point SecureXL technology, management with Check Point SmartCenter and ease of use with One-Click technologies. Check Point's Open Platform for Security (OPSEC) features security solutions for voice over IP (VoIP) networks.
- Sourcefire. IBM Managed Security Services and IBM Intrusion Detection Services include Sourcefire's Intrusion Sensors and Sourcefire Defense Center. These are also available on IBM xSeries running Linux® to help provide:
- Twenty-four-hour on-site repair for hardware issues anywhere in the world.
- Three-year warranty covering the hardware.
- A single number to call into Sourcefire support. If a problem is diagnosed as hardware, Sourcefire interacts with IBM.
- An extremely fast, flexible and highly secure solution for solving existing security problems.
- Other key ISVs include:
- AirDefense — Provides solutions that help secure wireless networks and protect the extended mobile enterprise against threats and attacks.
- Aladdin — Provides solutions for software digital-rights management and Internet security.
- CipherTrust — Provides innovative, layered security solutions to help stop inbound messaging threats and help protect against outbound policy and compliance violations.
- Finjan — Delivers behavior-based web security solutions that proactively detect unknown and emerging web threats, such as Spyware, freeing enterprises to harness the web for maximum business productivity.
- Learn more about Finjan (link resides outside of ibm.com)
- MailFrontier — Provides e-mail security and compliance solutions that help protect organizations against threats, identify and help enforce regulatory and corporate compliance policies, and enable consolidation of e-mail infrastructure.
- Mazu Networks — Provides behavior-based network security solutions that analyze network traffic and behavior to operate enterprise networks more securely.
- Open Service — Helps global enterprises and government organizations turn deployed security systems into effective enterprise protection.
- Reflex Security — Provides network intrusion prevention and unified threat management solutions.
