NFR Security Unveils Industry’s First Real-Time Threat Protection Solution

ROCKVILLE, MD, March 21, 2005 – NFR Security, Inc., the leader in Real-Time Threat Protectionâ„?, today announced the industry’s first Dynamic Shielding Architectureâ„? (DSA) to protect and secure networks in real-time against a range of dynamic threats, including intrusions, vulnerabilities and changing network environments. By combining the prevention capabilities of NFR Security’s Sentivist, with network vulnerability intelligence and new automated protection features, the Dynamic Shielding Architecture can intelligently and automatically adjust to shield the network against real-time threats.

“NFR Security’s Sentivist intrusion prevention technology was clean and quick to set up right out of the box and its customization capabilities were key to meeting the diverse needs of our customers,” said Peter Anderson, Chief Information Officer at Computer Systems Center Incorporated (CSCI). “Dynamic Shielding Architecture will give our customers an added level of protection and peace of mind by offering real-time information and tools to monitor, tune and address network security threats immediately.”

Specifically, the Sentivist Dynamic Shielding Architecture incorporates the following new technologies and features:

Correlation and Prioritization of Network Vulnerabilities: Assesses enterprise networks to detect any changes and vulnerabilities by using Nessus, an open-source scanner. The Sentivist Protection Center graphically and textually presents correlated and prioritized asset vulnerability profiles for the Security Manager to act upon.

Dynamic Vulnerability Shielding: Based on vulnerability CVE information, Sentivist will automatically deploy default signatures to protect key services against these discovered vulnerabilities.

Detection and Protection for New Network Changes/Rogue Servers: Utilizes Nessus data to automatically detect network changes, alerts the Security Manager to the new service and dynamically deploys the proper signature sets to protect those new services and IP addresses.

The result is a security environment that is aware of network vulnerabilities and changes, and can adapt to those changes to ensure continuous protection. For example, the DSA can provide security managers with dynamic network protection for newly discovered vulnerabilities during the waiting period when security and software patches are still being developed and deployed.

“Today’s security threats are evolving,” said Greg Young, a research director with Gartner, Inc. “These dynamic threats can be extremely costly to enterprises. The next generation of IPS are incorporating vulnerability assessment information.”

The Dynamic Shielding Architecture is delivered as part of the Sentivist Real-Time Threat Protectionâ„? product set, which combines multiple security technologies to protect the enterprise. Its hybrid detection model uses customizable, stateful signatures, vulnerability signatures, protocol anomaly detection with accuracy supplements from OS and application fingerprinting. Rather than an “all or nothing” prevention deployment, Sentivist intrusion prevention with Confidence Indexingâ„? allows security managers to deploy intrusion prevention when and where it’s needed, with the level of prevention enforcement calibrated according to the business value of the asset being protected.

“The velocity of change in today’s network environments often leads to security exposure. With the launch of our new Dynamic Shielding Architecture, NFR is providing our customers with an adaptive, low touch system that can automatically protect against a wide range of network threats,” said Andre Yee, president and CEO of NFR Security, Inc. “The combined solution of our Sentivist intrusion prevention system with important vulnerability data enables us to take the necessary steps to combat the next-generation of network threats.”

NFR Security’s Sentivist Dynamic Shielding Architecture will be available to customers worldwide during Q3 2005. For additional details on this new solution, please visit NFR’s website at http://www.nfr.com/solutions/index.php.

About Sentivist â„?

Enterprise security must address more than simply intrusions, it must protect against a broader scope of threats. NFR Security’s Sentivist combines inline intrusion prevention with best-in-class security management to provide real-time threat protection for the enterprise. Utilizing hybrid detection techniques, Sentivist protects against zero-day attacks and blended threats like worms and Trojans. With Sentivist, enterprise networks are protected through inline prevention, policy enforcement and Dynamic Shielding Actions. Sentivist’s intrusion prevention with patent-pending Confidence Indexing allows security managers to link the business value of an asset with the level of prevention deployed to protect it. Sentivist simplifies IPS deployments with its plug and play Smart Sensorsâ„? and Protection Center. The Sentivist Protection Center provides a scalable, centralized management platform for security managers to monitor and respond to network security threats in real-time.

About NFR Security, Inc.

NFR Security develops and markets the Sentivistâ„? line of Real-Time Threat Protectionâ„? products, including the most trusted, dynamic and easy-to-use enterprise intrusion prevention system (IPS) on the market today. NFR Security operates worldwide via an extensive network of channel partners and direct sales. Customers include Fortune 2000, utilities, pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, financials and government agencies. The company is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. Additional information about NFR Security can be found at www.nfr.com or by calling 1-800-234-4079.