Trend Micro Security delivers “vulnerability assessment right from the source”. It has integrated several major technology solutions to provide a complete line of defense against threats. Their industry-leading products are designed to prevent intrusions and security breaches, and to protect your business data and applications from the many ways that they can arrive on the network. They have created a complete comprehensive solution that can help you anticipate security threats and respond appropriately to them, with a few simple clicks of the mouse.
A Virtual Patching is a software utility that creates a signature file that alerts the operating system and every application in OS memory to any vulnerabilities that might be discovered. The utility first looks for known vulnerabilities, in both the software and operating system. If there is a match, then an exploit is executed and the corresponding program is blocked from loading. Virtual Patching provides real-time protection against exploits and security policies to enforce restrictions on software and hardware. Deep Security’s virtual patching reduces system downtime and costs by avoiding the necessity for regular, unscheduled patch cycles, patch installs, and vulnerability scans — all of which increase overhead and reduce the time spent on maintenance.
Virtual patching helps maintain the integrity of critical Windows features such as Windows firewall, Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and Microsoft updates and services. When a new vulnerability is discovered, a patch can be quickly developed and released to maintain the integrity of the operating system. This prevents the risk of a compromised server, critical applications, or critical data from being corrupted. Many organizations use virtual patching to ensure that new patches are released quickly and with minimal downtime to help avoid the loss of sensitive data.
The first step to take when implementing virtual patching is to determine what processes and vulnerabilities may be vulnerable. Virtual patch management policies can be configured per system to address the needs of your environment. Once you have identified the software and hardware that may be at risk, the next step is to develop a virtual image of the problem patch and place it onto your system. This virtual image is then deployed to allow the patch to take effect. This deployment allows you to identify and deploy the patch in a protected fashion, without affecting other processes.
Many IT professionals recommend using virtual patching to protect mission-critical processes. A mission-critical process is one that is used daily or regularly by your organization. If a flaw in this code is found, the impact to your business will be severe, and downtime will occur. Virtual patching helps to limit the amount of downtime you experience because of fixes to critical software patches.
Many organizations also use virtual patching for enterprise level applications. These applications are typically mission-critical because they deal with confidential corporate data. In some cases, vulnerabilities discovered in these applications could lead to legal issues for the company and compromise the security of the data in the database. By using virtual patching, your organization can ensure that any vulnerability discovered is fixed before it is made available to the general public.
Many companies utilize virtual patching for detecting and preventing exploits against their servers. An exploited server can easily be replaced by an intruder who has obtained a foothold on your network, so having a way to detect and prevent exploits is essential. Using a virtual patch format for exploits can help you stop hackers in their tracks while you work to solve your security issues.
Vulnerability detection and response are just two ways that IT professionals utilize virtual patching to improve overall network security. Because most vulnerabilities can be easily patched, you can rest easy knowing that your company’s data and assets are protected. Implementing and maintaining effective security policies with an IT manager can ensure that every worker is informed about the latest exploits and patches that are available to them.
