With the growing level of sophistication in IT infrastructures coupled with the increased levels of security threats to data networks and computer systems, IT security management has become more challenging. It is not possible for one, or even several IT professionals to possess all the intellectual acuity to provide the robust security measures that is required to keep today’s networks safe.
Therefore the use of network security assessment software to design, deploy, secure, monitor, and manage networks is of utmost importance. Here are some of the best and top rated network security assessment tools.
Cisco Wireless Network Control System
Cisco’s WCS is a wireless security software solution that is part of their Unified Network software suite. It allows network security personnel the ability to: design, secure, control, and monitor wireless networks remotely, from a centralized location. All this can be done while at the same time allowing IT managers to reduce the cost of securing wired and wireless networks under their watch.
The WCS can be used to plan and deploy wireless networks as well as configure them according to Cisco’s recommendations, industry standards and network security best practices. It also gives IT security officers the ability to efficiently prioritize the allocation of resources to deal with security events, automate security auditing, and generate reports that meet regulatory requirements, as well as assess vulnerabilities and network security threats.
The Wireless Control System includes these features:
- Infrastructure security configuration
- Rogue detection, location, and containment
- Intrusion prevention system
- Network security policy development and enforcement tools
- Management Frame Protection
- IPS signature tuning and management
- Security event management and reporting
Nessus Premier vulnerability Assessment Tool
Nessus is one of the best UNIX vulnerability scanners available and is among the best that can run on Windows and Mac OS X. Nessus is constantly being updated and has thousands of plug-ins available. The Nessus’ computer network security software is well respected among network security professionals for its features that include:
- High-speed asset discovery
- Configuration auditing
- Assets profiling
- Vulnerability analysis.
Nessus was a free up until 2005, when Nessus closed the open source code and removed the free “registered feed.” The “registered feed,” through which the scanner executes its rich feature-set, is available for a yearly subscription fee of $1,200/year. However, there is still a limited capability “Home Feed” which is licensed for use on home networks. Some persons avoid paying the registered fee by only using the plug-ins.
SAINT (Security Administrator's Integrated Network Tool)
SAINT was once a free open source product but is now offered as a commercial product. It offers a similar set of feature to other network vulnerability assessment software solutions that are discussed here. However, the features that are specific to SAINT include the ability to:
- Fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited
- Ensure and improve compliance with industry and government regulations such as: FISMA, SOX, PCI DSS, NERC, HIPAA, COPPA, and GLBA.
- Identify vulnerabilities in network appliances, databases, web applications and operating systems, to name a few areas that are covered.
Comprehensive Security Assessment
There is no doubt that network administrators are today dealing with much more sophisticated network and computer security threats than they did a few years ago. It is therefore important that network security administrators use the best and high capable security software to do their network scans; penetration tests; identify possible security breaches in order to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Even though the security software solutions that we have discussed in this article are not free, they have been are reported to get top ratings from IT security personnel. They are high regarded for their ability to identify possible security issues, prioritize the resolution of those issues and easily generate reports on security events among other capabilities.
Steve McFarlane - I am a professional freelance writer who is passionate about bringing quality and relevant content to my audience of readers. I strive to ...
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