| 1.4 |  | Security Products and Solutions |
| 1.4.1 |  | Overview |

| How do companies effectively protect their networks from attacks? Security technologies, products, and solutions are readily available and offer networks a high degree of security. Cisco is a company that provides a comprehensive set of security products and solutions . Other security vendors include Nortel, Check Point, Netscreen, Internet Security Systems, and Symantec, however many do not provide comprehensive products and solutions.

A good security solution not only solves the security dilemma, but also reduces the total cost of implementation and operation of the network. Imagine the amount of money that could be saved by reducing the number of different security vendors from six to one or two. Integration costs, personnel training costs, and ongoing administration costs can be greatly reduced.

A good security solution also enables networked applications and services once rejected as unwise and potentially dangerous. These include business-to-business electronic commerce and extranet applications that link suppliers and partners.

Good security solutions allow network managers to offer improved services to their clients. A good security solution also provides the following benefits:

- Enables new networked applications and services
- Reduces the costs of implementation and operation of the network
- Makes the Internet a global, low-cost access medium

The goal of this course is to enable secure, scaleable, and reliable networks using routers and firewalls. However, there are many other products, solutions, and technologies available to help secure networks. A brief introduction of these products will follow. Finally, the SAFE blueprint will demonstrate the integration of security devices, technologies, and services into one design framework.