Activis Introduces Next Generation Managed Firewall Security
New Intelligent SSA Firewall Architecture Meets Growing Demand for Resilient 24×7 Remote Network Security
HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Managed security services specialist, Activis, is introducing its next generation AlarmCenter SSA and SecureCenter SSA services to take its managed service offerings to a new level of delivery.
Using a new service delivery infrastructure deployed through its three Security Management Centers (SMCs) based in Germany, the UK and the USA, Activis is deploying new Internet security management services comprising automated and proactive threat detection and monitoring technology.
The new Security Service Appliance (SSA) developed internally, is an intelligent device sitting on the client’s network which analyses, alerts and summarizes firewall log files using highly sophisticated correlation techniques to detect threat events, analyze and escalate alarm events and remotely monitor firewall configurations. In addition to the complex SSA activity, probes from two SMCs poll that the firewall is “alive” every 30 seconds and if both probes fail alerts are raised automatically.
Further, the new Infrastructure has substantial redundancy. The SSA sends its data to two SMCs where the information is “de-duplicated” into a single presentation to the operational teams. Should the SSA detect that the primary Internet connection is not available it will automatically invoke an “out of band” call back to an SMC over PSTN or ISDN. Hence security experts at Activis can remotely access the firewall from its SMCs even if the Internet connection is interrupted. The risk of losing a connection to the customer’s firewall reduces to almost zero. Also any SMC can failover to any other. The infrastructure integrates the remote SSA, with Netcool from Micromuse(TM) and Remedy(TM) applications (as well as other back office devices). Customers can request change, raise trouble tickets (and monitor progress of either of these) view traffic, suspicious behavior and alert reports, by accessing the Activis website and logging in through strong authentication using RSA SecurID.
Graham Knight, Global Delivery Director, Activis, says the company’s investment into the new architecture fully supports the belief that professional managed services will become a multi-billion dollar market by 2004. “We believe our infrastructure is now up there with the best in the world. Customers can be assured that their Internet connections are being monitored 24 by 7 through SMCs which are attended continuously by highly trained experts and with SSA and SMC resilience.”
Fully scalable, Activis’ 24×7 managed security services using the new system architecture will further help companies reduce security investment costs and see a genuine ROI, maintain network integrity and give them the freedom to focus on their core business activities.
About Activis
Activis offers managed security services to enable customers to secure their IT infrastructure 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service operates worldwide with security management centres (SMCs) established in Germany, the UK and the USA and includes fully managed Firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and content management services.
Activis is the first managed security service marketed through distributors, OEMs, resellers and VARs, offering customers the highly secure service infrastructure of a partner with long-term expertise in security solutions and services. Activis is part of Articon-Integralis AG, the European market leader in the IT security solutions sector. Additional information about Activis is available on the Internet under http://www.activis.com .
CONTACT: Jack L. Wilkins of Activis, +1-860-291-0851 ext. 2265, jack.wilkins@activis.com .