Sourcefire releases two new security appliances 4 November, 2008 By Vanessa Ho

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The new Sourcefire appliances consist of the DC500, which is the company's new entry-level Defense Center that provides users with a relatively low-cost solution for managing up to three Sourcefire 3D Sensors and storing up to 2.5 million security and compliance events. The DC500 joins the DC1000 and the DC3000 in Sourcefire's Defense Center line-up.

As well, the DC500 delivers centralized management for smaller deployments, such as branch offices, while providing the ability to report back to a Master Defense Center (MDC) located at another location or headquarters. Combined with a 3D Sensor, the DC500 provides small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) with a cost-effective solution for protecting sensitive information, including credit card data, which helps address PCI requirements.

"You definitely want to use Defense Center if you have more than one IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) appliance, more than one 3D sensor otherwise you are viewing intrusion events at every single sensor and you are managing policies and software updates at every single sensor [and] sometimes the DC1000 was too expensive for the SMB," said Steve Piper, director of product marketing with Sourcefire. "The DC500 is to satisfy the requirements of SMBs where they might have two or three 3D sensors but don't need an appliance that has too much horsepower or is more oriented in managing a dozen or more 3D sensors."

The other new appliance is the 3D4500 Sensor, which provides customers with up to 2Gbps of network inspection in a 1U form factor appliance. The new Sourcefire appliance can also support both copper and 1G fiber connections for increased flexibility. This appliance is optimized to support simultaneous IPS, RNA (Real-time Network Awareness) and RUA (Real-time User Awareness) technologies at virtually any point on their networks.

These new offerings expand Sourcefire's product line to address various network speeds and requirements, protecting both physical and virtual environments.

The two new appliances are part of the company's flagship Sourcefire 3D System that supports a wide variety of network speeds, sizes and configurations and provides customers with a single solution for protecting both virtual and physical investments.

"We want to make sure our customers and channel partners have the right number of choices to make sure they are configuring the solution that is best for their customer and provides them with the solution that they need today and accommodate for future growth but not overspend," said Piper.

The DC500 and 3D4500 Sensors are available immediately through channel partners that are part of Sourcefire's Solutions Network. For pricing information, customers are encouraged to contact a member of the Solutions Network.