Access "The security appliance market: Just a myth?"
This article is part of the October 2004 issue of Help! Evaluating AV solutions and tech support
The idea that there's some sort of "security appliance market" is ridiculous. As an analyst, I track scores of products in 36 categories, and there are vendors who sell appliances in each. That's because an appliance is a delivery alternative--a form factor--that vendors use to differentiate their products from competitors. This means that an appliance is nothing more than one alternative among offerings that include software, blades and managed services. Hence, the NetScreen firewall appliance competes with Check Point software firewall; the Sourcefire IDS appliance competes with Internet Security Systems' RealSecure software; the nCircle vulnerability scanner appliance competes against the Qualys service. And so on. Here's the rub: Not only can functionality differ significantly, but so can the benefits an appliance brings to the table, depending on what's under the hood. The initial benefits of all appliances are that they're self-contained, fully functioning units, complete with bundled applications, hardware, OSes, database, middleware and/or any other ... Access >>>
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Features
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Antivirus vendor review 2004: Is AV customer support dying?
by Ed Skoudis, CISSP
Ed Skoudis subjects five of the leading antivirus vendors to customer support scenarios. Learn how well each of the AV vendors responded to its customers' needs.
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The self-defending network: Is it real technology or market speak?
by Eric Cole, Contributor
Cisco and other security vendors are touting the "self-defending" network. Is it real technology or market-speak?
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Antivirus vendor review 2004: Is AV customer support dying?
by Ed Skoudis, CISSP
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The downside of cybercrime investigation and prosecution
by Carole Fennelly, Contributing Writer
Prosecuting cybercrime puts your organization -- and your security -- on the hot seat.
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Preventing spyware and third-party attacks
by David Geer, Contributor
Is your IT infrastructure prepared for spyware? In this feature, learn how to prepare your enterprise for spyware and how best to avoid these third-party attacks.
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The downside of cybercrime investigation and prosecution
by Carole Fennelly, Contributing Writer
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Columns
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Buying security software: The devil's in the details
by Lawrence Walsh
When purchasing new security software, be sure to check references and quality controls first. You don't want to be stuck if something goes wrong.
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Identifying VoIP phone security risks, attacks
by Marcus Ranum, Contributor
If the VoIP phone keeps ringing, it's probably spam.
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The security appliance market: Just a myth?
by Pete Lindstrom, Contributor
Vendors often package their appliances to sell through their company, it makes no sense for them to stock pile into a marketplace. Pete Lindstrom explains.
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Benefits of encryption: Improving your enterprise IT security structure
by Jay Beale, Contributor
Learn the benefits of encryption and how it can be one of the only true secure ways to protect your enterprise.
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Application Vulnerability Development Language: Why is it important for security?
by Andrew Briney
Network security is like a U.N. meeting without the upside-down headphones, writes Editorial Director Andy Briney in this column.
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Buying security software: The devil's in the details
by Lawrence Walsh
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