HP ProLiant 4500 Compaq Enterprise Security Framework - Page 13

WHITE PAPER (cont.) ... SECURITY MARKET With a clearer picture of the computing security solution marketplace, enterprise decision-makers can identify and understand the implications of critical market trends on their purchasing decisions. Compaq has identified four key computing security trends that have important repercussions for enterprise customers and Compaq's own security strategy: • the expansion of firewall functionality • the developing need for strong identification and authentication measures • the importance of balancing hardware and software in one's security approach • the rapidly growing, but immature security marketplace Security Market: Firewall Expansion Over the past 12-18 months, firewall vendors have been aggressively expanding their security solutions to meet the multiple objectives of security (see Figure 9). To accomplish quick growth and diversification, most vendors have announced partnerships or acquisitions in order to embed their functionality and technologies, such as authentication and encryption (VPN), in the firewall and/or establish interoperability with other leading solutions. In addition, several firewall vendors have attempted to establish a common, open platform and a security middleware standard to define architecture for enterprise's complete security solution. In effect, these vendors intend for the firewall to become the management console for enterprise's security infrastructure. As one of the most validated security solutions, a firewall's functionality was traditionally limited to network boundary access control, allowing only certain types of packets of information and applications to travel into and out of a defined network. In the early years of development, firewall vendors focused on refining their technology. They developed firewalls for multiple platforms, building their installed base by educating users about firewalls, and finding VAR or OEM partners. Identification & Authentication APIs for tokens & CAs Authorization/ Access Control Privacy Integrity Firewall Base Firewall Web filter Support for VPN, secure remote access APIs for new applications Accountability Executable code and virus scanning Figure 9 Logging, accounting, analysis This past year, firewalls have finally gained significant market acceptance. Leading enterprises have recognized the necessity of firewalls and have begun to install them. Market forecasts predict triple-digit unit sales growth of firewalls through the year 2000. Explosive growth forecasts, coupled with recognized leadership in the computing security market, have allowed firewall vendors to expand beyond traditional access control functionality to 13