http://www.internetwk.com/news0399/news030599-9.htm Friday, March 5, 1999, 4:00 p.m. ET. APIs Ease Management Of Security Policy By RUTRELL YASIN New APIs could improve IT managers' ability to administer security policies across an enterprise. The Management Software Development Kit, unveiled this week by Internet Security Systems Inc., will let suppliers and users meld security functions into existing network infrastructures, according to ISS officials. It was developed through the ISS Adaptive Network Security Alliance (ANSA). IBM's Emergency Response Services (ERS) unit and Netrex Secure Solutions are using the development kit to integrate ISS' RealSecure intrusion detection engine into their portfolio of services, so users of their managed security services stand to benefit from the new APIs. Beginning this month, IBM ERS will set up RealSecure systems at critical locations on users' networks to detect security violations, said Michael Puldy, global solutions director for ERS, a division of IBM Global Services. IBM currently uses Cisco's Netranger intrusion detection sensors to monitor users' networks. Puldy said the ultimate goal is to have an infrastructure that is flexible enough to let ERS security operators monitor "best-of breed" tools from a single console. "It's important to have an open architecture that allows us to be flexible. We want to be able to integrate [diverse tools into ERS services], whether our users choose" Cisco's Internetwork Operating System or some other platform, he said. Netrex is using the Management Software Development Kit to improve the synergy between its Culprit monitoring and reporting console, RealSecure, and Remedy Corp.'s trouble ticket application. Culprit will accept logs and alerts from RealSecure and open trouble tickets in the Remedy system, which will then be sent to engineers who will respond to any problems, said Mark Sims, president and CEO of Netrex. The Management Software Development Kit also is now being used to integrate ISS' security products with enterprise systems management platforms such as Computer Associates International Inc.'s Unicenter TNG, Hewlett-Packard's OpenView Network Node Manager and Tivoli Systems Inc.'s Tivoli Enterprise Software. IT managers "don't want a separate console" for management and security, said Glenn McGonnigle, vice president of business development at ISS. "They want to see the RealSecure engine within the context of an OpenView screen." Supported by more than 50 networking and security vendors, ANSA is an initiative to deliver interoperable security products. Documentation for the Management Software Development Kit is available for download from the ANSA Web site at www.ansa.iss.net. -o- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Internet Security Institute [www.isi-sec.com]
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