Cisco ASA 5500

Cisco ASA 5500

This is a review on the new Cisco ASA 5500

The Cisco ASA or Adaptive security appliance can use different modules for different security needs.

There are currently four unique modules. They include the firewall module, IPS which is a intrusion

protection system. Anti-x module and a VPN (virtual private network) module.

The benefits of this appliance is that modules can be added as your needs grow. All in one device.There is a business edition provides small to medium businesses with VPN and gateway capabilities.

The firewall module can be implemented to stop corporate users from abusing instant messaging, theintroduction of spyware and adware onto the corporate network.It will also protect against externalthreats suck as hackers or crackers. Policies can also be set up to bloak peer to peer file sharing.

The Cisco ASA 5500 can also provide VPN access for remote users. The SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and also IPsec protocols can be used to encrypt traffic.

Different forms of authentication can be used such as Kerbeos, Microsoft Active directory, LDAP lightweight directory protocol and RSA secure ID.

Everythinbg can be controlled through the Cisco Security Manager, a all in one management platform. I watched a video on this at Ciscos website. I like the interface, you can even see attacks in real time and decide to section off that part of the network. Thats pretty slick. Another way to do this is through MARS, which is Cisco's analysis tool.

There are diffrent modules for different needs Some firewalls can support up to 1.2Gbps.

The Anti-X technology is based on Trend Micros technology to stop threats like viruses, spyware, trojans and worms.