Abstract: Requests to send data from a first host within a network of hosts are monitored against a record of destination hosts that have been sent data in accordance with a predetermined policy. Destination host identities (not the record) are stored in a buffer. The buffer size is monitored to determine whether requests from the first host are pursuant to viral activity therein.

Abstract: A method of identifying a software vulnerability on a computer system is disclosed in which the computer system has software stored thereon and is connected to a management system over a computer network. The method comprises the steps of: applying an interrogation program to the software, the interrogation program being capable of exploiting a known software vulnerability if it is present in the software to which the interrogation program is applied; in the event that the software vulnerability is exploited by the interrogation program, operating the interrogation program to generate a set of management information from which can be derived the identification of the computer system; and sending the management information to the management system.

Abstract: A method of creating a discontiguous address plan for an enterprise is provided which includes determining a hierarchy of routing optimization for an enterprise, determining a number of route advertisement aggregation points at each level of the hierarchy, determining a number of network security policy areas for the enterprise, and determining a number of addresses for each of the network security policy areas. The number of addresses is rounded up to a power of the address scheme base number to produce a plurality of rounded addresses. The method further includes allocating an address range for each of the plurality of rounded addresses so that a starting address of the address range begins on a power of the base number and determining a size of the plurality of address ranges. The size of the plurality of address ranges is rounded up to a power of the base number to produce the size of a repeating policy pattern.

Abstract: A method of creating a structured access list template, which includes dividing an access list template into a plurality of sections, creating an inbound local rule group for the bubble, creating an outbound local rule group for the bubble, creating an inbound remote rule group for the bubble, and creating an outbound remote rule group for the bubble. A method of creating an access list for each of the plurality of bubble boundary devices, which includes creating an address table that includes a plurality of addresses corresponding to devices in a bubble partition, creating a protocol table that includes a list of network services and whether each of the network services are granted or denied access to the bubble partition, creating an access list template using the address table and the protocol table, generating an access list from the access list template, and providing the access list to one of the plurality of bubble boundary devices.

Abstract: A method of identifying a software vulnerability in computer systems in a computer network includes a multiple level scanning process controlled from a management system connected to the network. The management system runs a root scanner which applies an interrogation program to remote systems having network addresses in a predefined address range. When a software vulnerability is detected, the interrogation program causes the respective remote system to scan topologically local systems, the remote system itself applying a second interrogation program to the local systems to detect and mitigate the vulnerability using an associated mitigation payload. Whilst that local scanning process is in progress, the root scanner can be applied to remote systems in other predefined address ranges.

Abstract: A secure network is provided which includes a plurality of network bubbles having a plurality of bubble partitions. Each bubble partition has at least one network device configured to transmit and receive data. All the network devices that belong to or correspond to a particular network bubble have the same network security policy. The secure network also includes a plurality of network control points, which has one or more network control point devices having at least one interface. Each bubble partition is connected to at least one network control point. The network control point is used to provide a connection between at least two network devices. Each network control point device is configured to enforce the network security policy of all the network bubbles that are connected to it. During the transmission of data from one network device to another network device, one or more network control points are traversed.

Abstract: A secure network is provided which includes a plurality of anti-bubbles having a plurality of anti-bubble partitions. Each anti-bubble partition has at least one network device configured to transmit and receive data. All the network devices that belong to or correspond to a particular anti-bubble have the same network security policy. Data may not be transmitted between two network devices in the same anti-bubble or two network devices in different anti-bubble partitions of the same anti-bubble. The secure network also includes a plurality of network control points, which has one or more network control point devices having at least one interface. Each anti-bubble partition is connected to at least one network control point. The network control point is used to provide a connection between at least two network devices. Each network control point device is configured to enforce the network security policy of all the anti-bubbles that are connected to it.

Abstract: A method of creating a discontiguous address plan for an enterprise is provided which includes determining a hierarchy of routing optimization for an enterprise, determining a number of route advertisement aggregation points at each level of the hierarchy, determining a number of network security policy areas for the enterprise, and determining a number of addresses for each of the network security policy areas. The number of addresses is rounded up to a power of the address scheme base number to produce a plurality of rounded addresses. The method further includes allocating an address range for each of the plurality of rounded addresses so that a starting address of the address range begins on a power of the base number and determining a size of the plurality of address ranges. The size of the plurality of address ranges is rounded up to a power of the base number to produce the size of a repeating policy pattern.

Abstract: Requests to send data from a first host within a network of hosts are monitored against a record of destination hosts that have been sent data in accordance with a predetermined policy. Destination host identities (not the record) are stored in a buffer. The buffer size is monitored to determine whether requests from the first host are pursuant to viral activity therein.

Abstract: A method of identifying a software vulnerability in computer systems in a computer network includes a multiple level scanning process controlled from a management system connected to the network. The management system runs a root scanner which applies an interrogation program to remote systems having network addresses in a predefined address range. When a software vulnerability is detected, the interrogation program causes the respective remote system to scan topologically local systems, the remote system itself applying a second interrogation program to the local systems to detect and mitigate the vulnerability using an associated mitigation payload. Whilst that local scanning process is in progress, the root scanner can be applied to remote systems in other predefined address ranges.

Abstract: A method of identifying a software vulnerability on a computer system is disclosed in which the computer system has software stored thereon and is connected to a management system over a computer network. The method comprises the steps of: applying an interrogation program to the software, the interrogation program being capable of exploiting a known software vulnerability if it is present in the software to which the interrogation program is applied; in the event that the software vulnerability is exploited by the interrogation program, operating the interrogation program to generate a set of management information from which can be derived the identification of the computer system; and sending the management information to the management system.

Abstract: A method of creating a structured access list template, which includes dividing an access list template into a plurality of sections, creating an inbound local rule group for the bubble, creating an outbound local rule group for the bubble, creating an inbound remote rule group for the bubble, and creating an outbound remote rule group for the bubble. A method of creating an access list for each of the plurality of bubble boundary devices, which includes creating an address table that includes a plurality of addresses corresponding to devices in a bubble partition, creating a protocol table that includes a list of network services and whether each of the network services are granted or denied access to the bubble partition, creating an access list template using the address table and the protocol table, generating an access list from the access list template, and providing the access list to one of the plurality of bubble boundary devices.

Abstract: A secure network is provided which includes a plurality of anti-bubbles having a plurality of anti-bubble partitions. Each anti-bubble partition has at least one network device configured to transmit and receive data. All the network devices that belong to or correspond to a particular anti-bubble have the same network security policy. Data may not be transmitted between two network devices in the same anti-bubble or two network devices in different anti-bubble partitions of the same anti-bubble. The secure network also includes a plurality of network control points, which has one or more network control point devices having at least one interface. Each anti-bubble partition is connected to at least one network control point. The network control point is used to provide a connection between at least two network devices. Each network control point device is configured to enforce the network security policy of all the anti-bubbles that are connected to it.

Abstract: A method of creating a discontiguous address plan for an enterprise is provided which includes determining a hierarchy of routing optimization for an enterprise, determining a number of route advertisement aggregation points at each level of the hierarchy, determining a number of network security policy areas for the enterprise, and determining a number of addresses for each of the network security policy areas. The number of addresses is rounded up to a power of the address scheme base number to produce a plurality of rounded addresses. The method further includes allocating an address range for each of the plurality of rounded addresses so that a starting address of the address range begins on a power of the base number and determining a size of the plurality of address ranges. The size of the plurality of address ranges is rounded up to a power of the base number to produce the size of a repeating policy pattern.

Abstract: A secure network is provided which includes a plurality of network bubbles having a plurality of bubble partitions. Each bubble partition has at least one network device configured to transmit and receive data. All the network devices that belong to or correspond to a particular network bubble have the same network security policy. The secure network also includes a plurality of network control points, which has one or more network control point devices having at least one interface. Each bubble partition is connected to at least one network control point. The network control point is used to provide a connection between at least two network devices. Each network control point device is configured to enforce the network security policy of all the network bubbles that are connected to it. During the transmission of data from one network device to another network device, one or more network control points are traversed.