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NetIQ Expands MOM with Security Pack

NetIQ Corp., the company that licensed to Microsoft the base technology for its Microsoft Operations Manager, on Tuesday announced a suite of software that builds security functionality into the management toolset.

The new suite is called the NetIQ Security Management Pack (SMP) for Microsoft Operations Manager 2000 and includes three modules. NetIQ also updated NetIQ Security Analyzer, a centralized console for real-time security management and incident response.

Microsoft approached NetIQ about developing the SMP, says Mike Mychalczuk, senior product manager for NetIQ's security products. But the program is apparently not part of Microsoft's ongoing Trustworthy Computing initiative or Strategic Technology Protection Program.

"It originated from the MOM product teams," says Mychalczuk, adding that the MOM team at Microsoft recognizes that enhancing security control through the management suite is an important way to drive MOM adoption.

"They knew we already had a lot of this done within our security manager product and asked if we would be willing to move forward and port that to the MOM infrastructure," Mychalczuk says.

The three modules, or Extended Management Packs (XMPs) in the suite are:

  • XMP for Microsoft Windows Security. This is a new XMP from NetIQ covering security in Windows and its integrated Web server, IIS. The XMP monitors Group Policy settings, services that are running and applications that are running. Depending on parameters, the XMP itself can automatically shut down unwanted services as soon as they start and can also kill unauthorized applications.
  • XMP for NetIQ Security Analyzer. This XMP is a new module connecting MOM to NetIQ's centralized security console, Security Analyzer.

  • XMP ModuleSet for Anti-Virus Applications is a rewrite of an existing XMP connecting MOM to popular anti-virus tools.

    The new version of NetIQ Security Manager, 3.5, adds support for Cisco Secure PIX Firewall and Internet Security Systems (ISS) RealSecure.

    The products are available immediately. The SMP costs $470 per processor. The Windows Security XMP or the Anti-Virus XMP can be purchased separately for $395 per processor. Security Manager 3.5 runs $900 per server, $1,500 per advanced server, $35 per workstation or $2,500 per operator or Web console.

    The new modules bring the number of NetIQ XMP add-ons for MOM to 20.

    • About the Author

    Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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