Bricata 9190 Red Branch Road Suite D Columbia, Maryland 21045 (443) 319-5285 http://www.bricata.com Bricata is the leading developer of performance intrusion prevention systems for high-visibility network security. Engineered around the multithreaded Suricata IPS engine and optimized with our patent-pending hardware acceleration and data management architecture, Bricata's ProAccel™ platform delivers up to nine times better threat detection than conventional IPS systems. Our multi-layer inspection and high speed data analytics deliver breakthrough capabilities to identify and actively neutralize internal and external threats, reliably and cost-effectively, at speeds from 500 Mbps to 100 Gbps.

1. Open Source Security – Why is it Important
Understanding the open source security aspects will help the security and engineering
managers in building processes that are more productive. Use of open source platforms
has become quite common in all aspects of businesses. In such a scenario,
understanding the related security concerns is extremely important. Why is it so?
Active community of users does not prevent vulnerabilities
Highly popular open source tools and platforms attract an active community of users.
They participate continuously to improve processes, making it more error-free than
before. Many times this does not include the consideration of open source security.
Developers may underestimate or completely ignore such concerns. Even the
experienced professionals equate the presence of the communities with absence of
vulnerable areas. Shellshock and Heart bleed are the two infamous bugs related to open
SSL and Bash respectively. Much time went before anyone was able to identify its
presence.
The biggest concern for the developers is the functionality. They stress upon this aspect
when choosing their open source platform. Other than that, they also consider the
popularity and references. Presence of proper documents is also important. Vulnerability
of the software during the integration of libraries is generally the last concern. They use
automated tools and manual tracking methods to monitor build or prerelease code scan.
Open source security testing is not effective way. This makes the process and the
system vulnerable. Studies show that pre-checking the components enhances security
and productivity.
Non-applicability of DAST and SAST
The established and dependable tools for security testing do not work for open source
platforms. Security analysts run static multiple app security tests on source codes.
Similarly, they also use dynamic app security tests on running applications. This helps
them to identify the different code vulnerabilities. However, such high-quality tools prove
ineffectual when it comes to identifying vulnerabilities of the associated components
giving rise to open source security loopholes. Since, the development team is not
familiar with source code, investigating potential alerts is also not possible. Only by
matching the vulnerability with the source components being used, it is possible to
detect these.
Race against the hacker
Hackers are always on the lookout for vulnerabilities. Based on that, they will find
endless information. This includes detailed videos that show them the exploitation
process. By using these methods, they are able to find multiple victims. This is a highly
productive and efficient method. Common projects related to the open source platforms
is their regular target. The hackers will gain an open hand simply because the software
companies do not track usage properly. As a result, effective patching of these
vulnerable areas related to open source security does not happen.
The good news is that the community is quite prompt in response whenever one
discovers any loopholes. This enables firms to identify and fix problems quickly and
effectively. You’ll find a throng of software developers and premier firms that have come
up with wholesome solutions for security teams.

2. Basic Requirements of Network Security
Network security concerns are the uppermost for companies everywhere. This refers to a
broad topic and multilayered approach. It is possible to address this at data link,
application, and network layers. The major issues related to these are the following,
 encryption and packet intrusion
 update version of routing tables
 host-level bugs
 IP packets
Irrespective of the organization type, TCP/IP protocols are universal. It does not matter
whether it is the general concern or an organization that deals with sensitive
information. Market research shows that hackers are gaining access to different
networks. This is becoming a common occurrence these days. This point the finger at the
loopholes related to network security making it a big concern everywhere. TCP/IP
protocol shows a number of vulnerabilities that requires plugging. Organizations require
an all-round security consideration to protect private data from becoming public.
The responsibility to ensure this lies with network administrator. They have to secure all
the points of TCP/IP. What is the major risk areas associated with the network? Only by
identifying these, it will be possible to implement appropriate measures. The functioning
of the companies will determine the associated network security risks as well.
Here below is some basic requirement that one should know about,
Everyone understands the high usefulness of networking. It keeps all the relevant users
connected to the organization whether remotely all locally. The bad news is that the
hackers are also on the lookout for access points to breach the security. When the
administrator takes certain measures and precautions, it is possible to minimize the
chances of such breaches. Here is what you can do.
For starters, it is important to understand the function of the networks. It is to facilitate
sharing of information. The first requirement would be to segregate non-shareable and
shareable information. One has to demarcate the people in the organization with whom
you wish to share specific information clearly. Based upon the network security policy
one has to strike the right balance between proper management and the associated
prices. Otherwise, the related expenses can escalate significantly.
What is the level of security you want to implement? The overall requirements and
effective chosen level security implementations will dictate prices. Clear definition of
responsibility division for security requirements between the system administrator and
the users is quite important. The network policy should ideally detail the security
requirements. This indicates both valuable information and the associated costs for
businesses.
Any strong network security measure involves expenses but it is well justified given the
peace of mind that one gains in the process. After the distribution of the responsibility to
maintain security within the organization, the role of the administrator is also to oversee
whether the implementation is effective.
The primary properties
There is a host of security components that mainly comprise anti-virus and anti-spyware.
You also have the firewall mechanism for impeding any sort of unauthorized access or
tampering or pricking of your network. Herein, you have the usage of intrusion
prevention systems (IPS), that help in gauging fast-developing and spreading threats
like zero-day and zero-hour attacks.

3. The Different Types Intrusion Detection For better Security
With a wide variety of options associated with the system for intrusion detection,
knowing about your options makes complete sense. The two major types are passive ID
and active ID. These will block any suspected attacks automatically where the operators
do not have to intervene. The main benefit lies in corrective real-time actions. These
work as a response to various attacks. Passive IDs on the other hand will both analyze
and monitor the activities of the network. Whenever they come across a breach, they
will send information to the operators. This is not capable of automatically performing
preventive or protective functions.
Intrusion detection mechanisms mostly contain network appliances and interface cards.
These operate in a promiscuous mode with separate interface for management. The
placement of the IDs is along network boundary or segment that monitors the segment
traffic. When you want to monitor the workstations, you will install agents/software
applications and host detection systems/HIDS. Agents will monitor operating systems,
write log file or trigger alarm data. HIDS will be able to monitor individual workstations
with installed agents only. However, monitoring the entire network is not possible for
such intrusion detection mechanisms.
IDS host-based systems can monitor all types of intrusion attempts related to the critical
servers. HIDS has some drawbacks as well. These are as follows.
 Analysis of multiple computer intrusion attacks is difficult.
 The maintenance of this detection system on large networks with varied
configurations and operating systems becomes quite complex.
 After compromising the system, the attackers will be able to disable it easily.
A very important aspect of intrusion detection is that it discerns and evaluates entities
attempting to affect or subvert the chained, in-place security controls. Signature,
knowledge-based IDS refers to databases with signature of previous attacks. This also
relates to system known vulnerabilities. Signature here refers to recorded evidences
relating to past attacks. Every attack leaves behind footprints. This can be application
running failed attempts, data packet nature, failed login access, failed access to files and
folders.
One can use the footprints or signatures to identify as well as prevent similar attacks in
future. Using such signatures, the knowledge-based intrusion detection system identifies
the various intrusion attempts. Any deviation from the pattern or baseline will trigger the
alarm. However, in order to get the best results from this kind of detection mechanism it
is important to maintain and update the related database from time to time. Otherwise,
identification of unique attacks may not be possible via this.
Behavior based system for intrusion detection uses learned or baseline patterns. Such
normal activities of the system will be able to achieve intrusion detection actively.
Triggering of the alarm will occur whenever there is deviation from the established
pattern or baseline. Sometimes, one may also come across false alarms related to the
behavior based detection mechanisms. As one can see, every system has its own
advantages and disadvantages. One can make choices based upon particular
organizational requirements.

4. Security Visibility for Effective Cloud Protection
When it comes to data on the cloud, security visibility goes together. One can only
protect the visible data. Companies will be able to accelerate the delivery of IT by
shifting to the cloud. This also drives the business agility. While there are numerous
advantages related to this kind of shift, it also lays bare the loopholes in security. Cyber
attack may become a significant possibility in such circumstances. Organizations have to
remain aware of attack on the cloud. They will take various measures to ensure early
detection. Security visibility to the new-age options as the traditional tools, firewalls, and
detection mechanisms may not work effectively on the cloud medium.
The dynamic and elastic nature associated with virtual infrastructures minimizes
visibility. The detection team is unable to monitor the activity on cloud. This in turn
makes it difficult to detect vulnerabilities, quick reactions to the abnormal behavior, and
enforce a consistent policy. Organizations looking to get help from the cloud providers
will face significant limitations. Over the hypervisor layer, one cannot get protection
regarding anything. Most cloud providers offer you the model of shared responsibilities.
Security visibility emerges as a better way to protect organizational content especially
when you have to find your own security models. As such, the onus lies completely with
you. Here the protection of the network, system, content, application, and platform is
quite similar to on-site datacenter protection. Maintenance of control critical objectives is
your responsibility. It does not matter whether this is a traditional datacenter or public
cloud. Threat management and data protection are some control critical objectives.
There can be dramatic results associated with weak security related to the cloud.
The principle behind cloud protection is that one can only protect data clearly visible. For
this reason, visibility real-time is paramount. This will facilitate security visibility, quite
important for organizations looking to optimize the advantages of being on cloud. Brand-
new technologies are becoming available every day that increases the scope of the
virtual plane. This way it is possible to gain a competitive edge over the competitors.
Organizations today are expanding more of their presence in the cloud arena. This
includes hybrid, public, and private spaces.
After that, it is possible to combine them with the internal datacenter to maximize the
benefits. Some of the best practices to ensure high visibility on the cloud are as follows.
 Continuous visibility: this means you can remain abreast of the data, users,
applications, and infrastructure whenever needed. The virtual modern
infrastructure is elastic, automated, and on demand. This makes security visibility
somewhat difficult but continuous monitoring can ward off attacks.
 Strong control of access: high-profile breaches are mostly the result of the control
on the access to cloud. Privilege monitoring and access management are crucial
requirement.
You need to create and maintain an accurate action plan to counter any mishaps at any
moment of the day. Precisely, you must have the sneak peeks of your infrastructure at
your fingertips. Customers can also have control of their form of security if they choose
to protect or fortify their application, system, content, platform and network.