Systems and methods for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets

A computer-implemented method for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets may include (1) intercepting, at a networking device, at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device, (2) identifying a security system installed on the target computing device, (3) determining that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard, and then (4) performing a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet at the networking device based at least in part on determining that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Computer networks often include multiple computing devices that perform substantially similar security analyses on the same network data packets. For example, a computer network may include a gateway device that facilitates transmission of data packets from source computing devices to target computing devices. In this example, upon receiving one or more data packets from a source computing device, the gateway device may perform one or more security analyses (such as an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) analysis, an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) analysis, an antivirus analysis, and/or a firewall analysis) on the data packets prior to forwarding the same to a target computing device. However, upon receiving the data packets forwarded from the gateway device, the target computing device may redundantly perform the same security analyses on the data packets.

Unfortunately, such redundant security analyses may consume valuable network resources and prevent the computer network from achieving optimum performance. What is needed, therefore, are systems and methods for eliminating redundant security analyses performed by different computing devices included in a computer network without compromising the level of security provided by the network.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. In one example, a computer-implemented method for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets may include (1) intercepting, at a networking device, at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device, (2) identifying a security system installed on the target computing device, (3) determining that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard, and then (4) performing a security analysis (such as an IDS analysis, an IPS analysis, an antivirus analysis, and/or a firewall analysis) that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet at the networking device based at least in part on determining that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard.

In some examples, the method may also include providing a cloud-based server that authenticates the target computing device, obtains information about the target computing device (e.g., information that identifies the security system installed on the target computing device, a current status of the security system installed on the target computing device, a calendar date on which the security system was most recently updated, a network address associated with the target computing device, and/or a make or model of the target computing device), and then stores the information about the target computing device to enable the networking device to access the information in order to identify the security system installed on the target computing device.

In some examples, the method may also include obtaining user credentials from a user of the target computing device. In such examples, the method may further include searching an authentication database associated with the cloud-based server for the user credentials obtained from the user of the target computing device. In addition, the method may include identifying the user credentials obtained from the user of the target computing device while searching the authentication database associated with the cloud-based server.

In some examples, the method may also include identifying a destination address associated with the network data packet. In such examples, the method may further include determining that the network data packet is destined for the target computing device by comparing the destination address with the network address specified in the information stored on the cloud-based server. In addition, the method may include identifying the security system specified in the information stored on the cloud-based server upon determining that the network data packet is destined for the target computing device.

In some examples, the method may also include providing the target computing device with an authentication token configured to direct the target computing device to update the information stored on the cloud-based server in response to detecting at least one modification to the security system installed on the target computing device. In such examples, the method may further include receiving an update that identifies the modification to the security system from the target computing device. In addition, the method may include updating the information stored on the cloud-based server to account for the modification to the security system based at least in part on the received update.

In some examples, the method may also include determining that the network data packet does not pose a security risk to the target computing device based at least in part on the security analysis. In such examples, the method may further include forwarding the network data packet from the networking device to the target computing device upon determining that the network data packet does not pose the security risk to the target computing device.

In some examples, the method may also include determining that the network data packet poses a security risk to the target computing device based at least in part on the security analysis. In such examples, the method may further include quarantining the network data packet (instead of forwarding the network data packet from the networking device to the target computing device) upon determining that the network data packet poses the security risk to the target computing device.

In some examples, the method may also include determining that the security system installed on the target computing device satisfies a different predefined security standard. In such examples, the method may further include forwarding the network data packet from the networking device to the target computing device without performing a security analysis that satisfies the different predefined security standard on the network data packet since the security system installed on the target computing device satisfies the different predefined security standard.

In one embodiment, a system for implementing the above-described method may include (1) an interception module programmed to intercept, at a networking device, at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device, (2) an identification module programmed to identify a security system installed on the target computing device, (3) a determination module programmed to determine that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard, and (4) a security module programmed to perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet at the networking device based at least in part on the determination that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard.

In some examples, the above-described method may be encoded as computer-readable instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable-storage medium. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable-storage medium may include one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a networking device, may cause the networking device to (1) intercept at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device, (2) identify a security system installed on the target computing device, (3) determine that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard, and then (4) perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet based at least in part on the determination that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. As will be explained in greater detail below, by authenticating computing devices included in a computer network, the various systems and methods described herein may provide a secure computing environment in which the authenticated computing devices are able to expose their security capabilities and/or vulnerabilities without the risk of exploitation by a malicious network participant. By providing the secure computing environment in which the authenticated computing devices are able to expose their security capabilities and/or vulnerabilities without the risk of exploitation by a malicious network participant, the various systems and methods described herein may also enable a networking device (such as a network gateway) to determine whether security systems installed on the authenticated computing devices satisfy a predefined security standard.

In addition, by enabling the networking device to determine whether the security systems installed on the authenticated computing devices satisfy the predefined security standard, the various systems and methods described herein may eliminate redundant security analyses on network data packets destined for the authenticated computing devices. Moreover, by eliminating the redundant security analyses on the network data packets destined for the authenticated computing devices, the various systems and methods described herein may help preserve network resources and/or improve the computer network's overall performance.

The following will provide, with reference toFIGS. 1-2, detailed descriptions of exemplary systems for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. Detailed descriptions of corresponding computer-implemented methods will be provided in connection withFIG. 3. Detailed descriptions of an exemplary network data packet destined for a target computing device and exemplary information about the target computing device will be provided in connection withFIG. 4. In addition, detailed descriptions of an exemplary computing system and network architecture capable of implementing one or more of the embodiments described herein will be provided in connection withFIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary system100for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. As illustrated in this figure, exemplary system100may include one or more modules102for performing one or more tasks. For example, and as will be explained in greater detail below, exemplary system100may include an interception module104programmed to intercept, at a networking device, at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device. Exemplary system100may also include an identification module106programmed to identify a security system installed on the target computing device.

In addition, and as will be described in greater detail below, exemplary system100may include a determination module108programmed to determine that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard. Exemplary system100may also include a security module110programmed to perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet at the networking device based at least in part on the determination that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard.

Moreover, and as will be described in greater detail below, exemplary system100may include an authentication module112programmed to authenticate the target computing device. Exemplary system100may also include an information module114programmed to obtain information about the target computing device and store the information about the target computing device to enable the networking device to access the information in order to identify the security system installed on the target computing device. Although illustrated as separate elements, one or more of modules102inFIG. 1may represent portions of a single module or application (such as SYMANTEC'S NETWORK SECURITY).

In certain embodiments, one or more of modules102inFIG. 1may represent one or more software applications or programs that, when executed by a computing device, may cause the computing device to perform one or more tasks. For example, and as will be described in greater detail below, one or more of modules102may represent software modules stored and configured to run on one or more computing devices, such as the devices illustrated inFIG. 2(e.g., target computing device202, cloud-based server206, and/or networking device208), computing system510inFIG. 5, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture600inFIG. 6. One or more of modules102inFIG. 1may also represent all or portions of one or more special-purpose computers configured to perform one or more tasks.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, exemplary system100may also include one or more network data packets, such as network data packet118. For example, network data packet118may include data that represents all or a portion of a file. In this example, network data packet118may include a payload and/or metadata (such as data that identifies the source and/or destination of the payload). In addition, network data packet118may originate from the Internet or a source computing device included in a computer network (such as an intranet).

Exemplary system100inFIG. 1may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, all or a portion of exemplary system100may represent portions of exemplary system200inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, system200may include a networking device208in communication with a target computing device202and a cloud-based server206via a network204.

Networking device208may be programmed with one or more of modules102and/or may have intercepted network data packet118destined for target computing device202. Additionally or alternatively, cloud-based server206may be programmed with one or more of modules102and/or may store all or a portion of information210about target computing device202and/or authentication database212used to authenticate target computing device202. Additionally or alternatively, target computing device202may include a security system216and/or an authentication token214used to facilitate updating information210stored on cloud-based server206.

In one embodiment, one or more of modules102fromFIG. 1may, when executed by at least one processor of networking device208and/or cloud-based server206, facilitate networking device208and/or cloud-based server206in eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. For example, and as will be described in greater detail below, one or more of modules102may cause networking device208and/or cloud-based server206to (1) intercept network data packet118destined for target computing device202, (2) identify security system216installed on target computing device202, (3) determine that security system216installed on target computing device202does not satisfy a predefined security standard, and then (4) perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on network data packet118based at least in part on the determination that security system216installed on target computing device202does not satisfy the predefined security standard.

Target computing device202generally represents any type or form of computing device capable of reading computer-executable instructions. Examples of computing device202include, without limitation, laptops, tablets, desktops, servers, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), multimedia players, embedded systems, combinations of one or more of the same, exemplary computing system510inFIG. 5, and/or any other suitable computing device.

Cloud-based server206generally represents any type or form of collection of one or more computing devices capable of authenticating other computing devices included in a computer network and/or storing information about the other computing devices included in the computer network. Examples of cloud-based server206include, without limitation, application servers, web servers, storage servers, and/or database servers configured to run certain software applications and/or provide various web, storage, and/or database services.

Networking device208generally represents any type or form of computing device capable of intercepting, forwarding, and/or otherwise facilitating transmission of network data packets from one computing device to another. Examples of networking device208include, without limitation, network gateways, default gateways, routers, nodes, laptops, tablets, desktops, servers, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), multimedia players, embedded systems, combinations of one or more of the same, exemplary computing system510inFIG. 5, and/or any other networking devices.

Network204generally represents any medium or architecture capable of facilitating communication or data transfer. Examples of network204include, without limitation, an intranet, a TCP/IP network, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), the Internet, Power Line Communications (PLC), a cellular network (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network), exemplary network architecture600inFIG. 6, or the like. Network204may facilitate communication or data transfer using wireless or wired connections. In one embodiment, network204may facilitate communication among networking device208, target computing device202, and/or cloud-based server206.

Security system216generally represents any type or form of security software configured to protect the health of and/or any information stored on a computing device against potentially malicious activity. Examples of security system216include, without limitation, stand-alone security systems, security clients incorporated into a distributed or cloud-based security system, antivirus security systems (e.g., SYMANTEC'S NORTON ANTIVIRUS), Internet security systems (e.g., SYMANTEC'S NORTON INTERNET SECURITY), network security systems (e.g., SYMANTEC'S NETWORK SECURITY), firewall security systems, combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable security systems.

FIG. 3is a flow diagram of an exemplary computer-implemented method300for eliminating redundant security analyses on network data packets. The steps shown inFIG. 3may be performed by any suitable computer-executable code and/or computing system. In some embodiments, the steps shown inFIG. 3may be performed by one or more of the components of system100inFIG. 1, system200inFIG. 2, computing system510inFIG. 5, and/or portions of exemplary network architecture600inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, at step302one or more of the various systems described herein may intercept at least one network data packet destined for a target computing device. For example, interception module104may, as part of networking device208, intercept network data packet118destined for target computing device202. In this example, network data packet118may include data that represents all or a portion of at least one file.

The systems described herein may perform step302in a variety of ways. In one example, target computing device202may submit a request to obtain certain data stored on a computing device external to the target computing device's network. For example, target computing device202may submit a request to download a particular file from a server (not illustrated inFIG. 2) that hosts a website accessible via the Internet. In this example, the server may initiate transmission of network data packet118to target computing device202in response to the request. Network data packet118may include data that represents all or a portion of the file requested by target computing device202from the server.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, network data packet118may include metadata that specifies a destination address associated with a target computing device included in a computer network (in this example, “A0-88-B4-78-4D-08”) and a payload that includes data representing all or a portion of at least one file to be downloaded by the target computing device (in this example, “0x1738F12A” through “0xD128B379”). In one example, the destination address identified in the data packet's metadata may include a Media Access Control (MAC) address assigned to target computing device202.

As network data packet118enters the computer network en route to target computing device202, interception module104may intercept network data packet118at networking device208. For example, interception module104may receive network data packet118at networking device208as network data packet118advances toward target computing device202. In this example, and as will be described in greater detail below, networking device208may analyze network data packet118and prevent network data packet118from advancing toward target computing device202at least until determining whether the security capabilities of target computing device202satisfy a predetermined security standard.

In some examples, networking device208may represent a gateway that enables target computing device202to receive and/or access data stored on a different computing device included in the same computer network or a different computer network. In one example, networking device208may serve as a firewall to the computer network. Additionally or alternatively, networking device208may serve as an interface that implements a different communication protocol than the computer network that includes target computing device202.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, at step304one or more of the various systems described herein may identify a security system installed on the target computing device. For example, identification module106may, as part of networking device208, identify security system216installed on target computing device202. In this example, security system216may be configured to protect the health of and/or the information stored on target computing device202against potentially malicious activity.

The systems described herein may perform step304in a variety of ways. In some examples, identification module106may access information about target computing device202to identify the security system installed on target computing device202. For example, identification module106may request access to information210about target computing device202from cloud-based server206. In this example, cloud-based server206may verify whether networking device208has sufficient administrative authority to access information about target computing device202prior to enabling identification module106to access information210. After cloud-based server206has verified that networking device208has sufficient administrative authority, identification module106may access information210stored on cloud-based server206to identify the security system installed on target computing device202.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, information210may specify the particular computing device (in this example, “Target Computing Device202”), a network address assigned to the computing device (in this example, “A0-88-B4-78-4D-08”), a security system installed on the computing device (in this example, “SYMANTEC'S NORTON ANTIVIRUS”), the current status of the security system installed on the computing device (in this example, “On”), the date of the security system's most recent security update (in this example, “Sep. 15, 2012”), and the make and/or model of the computing device (in this example, “LENOVO THINKPAD T430”).

In one example, identification module106may identify the destination address specified in the network data packet's metadata. For example, identification module106may analyze the metadata included in network data packet118and determine that network data packet118is destined for the computing device associated with network address “A0-88-B4-78-4D-08” based at least in part on this analysis. In this example, identification module106may compare the destination address specified in the network data packet's metadata with network address “A0-88-B4-78-4D-08” specified in information210. Identification module106may then determine that network data packet118is destined for target computing device202based at least in part on this comparison.

In one example, upon determining that network data packet118is destined for target computing device202, identification module106may identify the security system installed on target computing device202. For example, identification module106may search information210for the security system installed on target computing device202. In this example, identification module106may identify security system216while searching information210for the security system installed on target computing device202.

Additionally or alternatively, identification module106may determine that no security system is currently installed on target computing device202. For example, target computing device202may have yet to install a security system. In this example, identification module106may search information about target computing device202for any security systems installed on target computing device202. Identification module106may then fail to identify any security systems installed on target computing device202while searching the information about target computing device202.

In some examples, cloud-based server206may authenticate one or more computing devices included in the computer network. For example, authentication module112may, as part of cloud-based server206, authenticate target computing device202and/or networking device208upon joining the computer network. By authenticating target computing device202and/or networking device208with cloud-based server206, authentication module112may ensure that the computer network provides a secure computing environment in which target computing device202and/or networking device208are able to expose their security capabilities and/or vulnerabilities without the risk of exploitation by a malicious network participant.

In one example, authentication module112may obtain user credentials from a user of target computing device202. For example, authentication module112may enable a user of target computing device202to create a username and password associated with the computer network. In this example, authentication module112may then store the username and password created by the user of target computing device202in authentication database212.

In one example, authentication module112may obtain the username and password of the user of target computing device202(on at least one occasion) to authenticate target computing device202with cloud-based server206. For example, networking device208may detect an attempt by target computing device202to join the computer network. In this example, upon detecting the attempt by target computing device202to join the computer network, networking device208may request the username and password of the user of target computing device202.

In one example, networking device208may receive the username and password of the user of target computing device202in response to the request. In this example, upon receiving the username and password of the user of target computing device202, networking device208may provide the username and password to authentication module112. Authentication module112may then authenticate target computing device202with cloud-based server206by searching authentication database212for the username and password and identifying the same during the search.

In a similar example, authentication module112may obtain user credentials from a user of networking device208. For example, authentication module112may enable a network administrator associated with networking device208to create a username and password associated with the computer network. In this example, authentication module112may then store the username and password created by the network administrator in authentication database212.

In one example, authentication module112may obtain the username and password of the network administrator associated with networking device208(on at least one occasion) to authenticate networking device208with cloud-based server206. For example, the network administrator may boot up networking device208to begin facilitating transmission of data packets within the computer network. In this example, during the boot-up process, networking device208may request the username and password of the network administrator associated with networking device208.

In one example, networking device208may receive the username and password of the network administrator in response to the request. In this example, upon receiving the username and password of the network administrator, networking device208may provide the username and password to authentication module112. Authentication module112may then authenticate networking device208with cloud-based server206by searching authentication database212for the username and password and identifying the same during the search.

In some examples, cloud-based server206may obtain information210from one or more users and/or computing devices included in the computer network. For example, information module114may, as part of cloud-based server206, query target computing device202and/or networking device208for information about target computing device202. Additionally or alternatively, information module114may query a user of target computing device202and/or an administrator associated with networking device208for information about target computing device202. In response to such queries, information module114may receive information about target computing device202via a secure communication protocol (such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)) and store the same as information210on cloud-based server206.

In some examples, authentication module112may provide target computing device202with an authentication token during the authentication process. For example, authentication module112may provide target computing device202with authentication token214configured to direct target computing device202to update information210. In one example, authentication token214may direct target computing device202to update information210on a periodic basis (e.g., once a week). In another example, authentication token214may direct target computing device202to update information210in response to detecting at least one modification to security system216(e.g., a security update, a change in the current status of the security system, and/or a new security system) or the device's network address (e.g., a new network address).

In one example, authentication token214may direct target computing device202to provide authentication module112with an update that identifies the modification to security system216or the device's network address. In this example, authentication module112may receive the update from target computing device202via the secure communication protocol. Authentication module112may then update information210to account for the modification to security system216or the device's network address based at least in part on the update received from target computing device202.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, at step306one or more of the various systems described herein may determine that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy a predefined security standard. For example, determination module108may, as part of networking device208, determine that security system216installed on target computing device202does not satisfy a predefined security standard. The phrase “predefined security standard,” as used herein, generally refers to any type or form of qualification or requirement that a security system installed on a target computing device be able to perform a particular security analysis on a network data packet.

The systems described herein may perform step306in a variety of ways. In some examples, determination module108may identify a predefined security standard imposed by the computer network. In such examples, determination module108may determine that the predefined security standard requires network data packet118to undergo a particular security analysis. Examples of this security analysis include, without limitation, one or more particular IDS analyses, IPS analyses, antivirus analyses, firewall analyses, reputation-based security analyses, heuristic-based security analyses, signature-based security analyses, combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable security analyses.

In some examples, determination module108may access information about security system216installed on target computing device202to determine whether security system216satisfies the predefined security standard. For example, determination module108may access the information about security system216stored locally on networking device208. In another example, determination module108may access information about security system216stored remotely on cloud-based server206. In a further example, determination module108may access information about security system216via the Internet.

In some examples, upon accessing the information about security system216, determination module108may compare the information about security system216with the predefined security standard to determine whether security system216is currently able to perform the security analysis required by the predefined security standard. For example, determination module108may identify the security capabilities of security system216as specified in the information about security system216. In this example, determination module108may compare the security capabilities of security system216with the security analysis required by the predefined security standard.

Determination module108may then determine that security system216is currently unable to perform the security analysis required by the predefined security standard based at least in part on this comparison. As will be described in greater detail below, by determining that security system216installed on target computing device202satisfies the predefined security standard, determination module108may enable security module110to eliminate redundant security analyses performed on network data packet118.

In some examples, determination module108may also determine that security system216satisfies a different security standard. For example, determination module108may identify a different security standard imposed by the computer network. In this example, determination module108may determine that the different predefined security standard requires network data packet118to undergo a different security analysis. Examples of this different security analysis include, without limitation, one or more particular IDS analyses, IPS analyses, antivirus analyses, firewall analyses, reputation-based security analyses, heuristic-based security analyses, signature-based security analyses, combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitable security analyses.

In one example, determination module108may compare the information about security system216with the different predefined security standard. In this example, determination module108may determine that security system216is currently able to perform the different security analysis required by the different predefined security standard based at least in part on this comparison.

In a specific example, determination module108may determine that security system216is unable to perform the particular IDS and IPS analyses required by the predefined security standard (since, e.g., security system216does not perform any IDS or IPS analyses or the IDS and IPS analyses performed by security system216are out-of-date). However, determination module108may also determine that security system216installed on target computing device202is able to perform the particular antivirus and firewall analyses required by the different predefined security standard.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, at step308one or more of the various systems described herein may perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on the network data packet based at least in part on determining that the security system installed on the target computing device does not satisfy the predefined security standard. For example, security module110may, as part of networking device208, perform a security analysis that satisfies the predefined security standard on network data packet118based at least in part on the determination that security system216installed on target computing device202does not satisfy the predefined security standard. In other words, security module110may perform the security analysis on network data packet118at networking device208since security system216installed on target computing device202is currently unable to perform the security analysis required by the predefined security standard.

The systems described herein may perform step308in a variety of ways. In some examples, security module110may perform the security analysis on network data packet118prior to forwarding the same to target computing device202. In one example, security module110may determine that network data packet118does not pose a known security risk to target computing device202based at least in part on the security analysis. In this example, security module110may then forward network data packet118from networking device208to target computing device202since network data packet118does not pose a known security risk to target computing device202.

In another example, security module110may determine that network data packet118poses a known security risk to target computing device202based at least in part on the security analysis. In this example, security module110may then quarantine network data packet118(by, e.g., preventing network data packet118from advancing to target computing device202) instead of forwarding network data packet118from networking device208to target computing device202.

In some examples, in response to the determination that security system216installed on target computing device202satisfies the different predefined security standard, security module110may forward network data packet118from networking device208to target computing device202without performing the different security analysis on network data packet118at networking device208. In other words, security module110may forgo performing the different security analysis required by the different predefined security standard on network data packet118since security system216installed on target computing device202is able to perform the different security analysis on network data packet118.

In a specific example, security module110may perform the IDS and IPS analyses required by the predefined security standard on network data packet118since security system216installed on target computing device202is unable to perform these IDS and IPS analyses. In contrast, security module110may forward network data packet118to target computing device202without performing the particular antivirus and firewall analyses required by the different predefined security standard since security system216installed on target computing device202is able to perform these antivirus and firewall analyses.

As explained above in connection with method300inFIG. 3, a computer network may eliminate redundant security analyses on network data packets destined for the authenticated computing devices. For example, a computer network may provide a secure computing environment in which authenticated computing devices are able to expose their security capabilities and/or vulnerabilities without the risk of exploitation by a malicious network participant. As a user of a computing device attempts to join the computer network, the user may need to perform a one-time authentication of his or her computing device with the network's cloud-based server. During this authentication process, the user's computing device may provide the network's cloud-based server with information that identifies any security system currently installed on the computing device.

The cloud-based server may receive the information from the user's computing device and then provide the information to the network's gateway device upon request. For example, the user of the computing device may attempt to download a file from the Internet. As the file enters the computer network en route to the user's computing device, the network's gateway device may intercept the file and query the cloud-based server for the information that identifies the security system installed on the user's computing device. In response to this query from the network's gateway device, the cloud-based server may provide the gateway device with the information that identifies the security system installed on the user's computing device.

The network's gateway device may receive the information from the cloud-based server and then use the information to determine whether the user's computing device satisfies a predefined security standard imposed by the computer network. For example, the gateway device may compare the information with the predefined security standard to determine whether the security system installed on the user's computing device is currently able to perform at least one security analysis required by the predefined security standard. In this example, the gateway device may determine that the security system is currently unable to perform the security analysis required by the predefined security standard based at least in part on the comparison. Upon determining that the security system is currently unable to perform the security analysis, the gateway device may perform the security analysis on the file prior to forwarding the file to the user's computing device.

By determining that the security system installed on the user's computing device is currently unable to perform the security analysis, the gateway device may ensure that different computing devices included in the computer network do not redundantly perform the same security analysis on the file. In addition, by ensuring that different computing devices included in the computer network do not redundantly perform the same security analysis on the file, the gateway device may help preserve network resources and/or improve the network's overall performance.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system510capable of implementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein. For example, all or a portion of computing system510may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the intercepting, identifying, determining, performing, providing, authenticating, obtaining, storing, searching, comparing, receiving, updating, forwarding, and quarantining steps described herein. All or a portion of computing system510may also perform and/or be a means for performing any other steps, methods, or processes described and/or illustrated herein.

In certain embodiments, exemplary computing system510may also include one or more components or elements in addition to processor514and system memory516. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, computing system510may include a memory controller518, an Input/Output (I/O) controller520, and a communication interface522, each of which may be interconnected via a communication infrastructure512. Communication infrastructure512generally represents any type or form of infrastructure capable of facilitating communication between one or more components of a computing device. Examples of communication infrastructure512include, without limitation, a communication bus (such as an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI Express (PCIe), or similar bus) and a network.

In certain embodiments, communication interface522may also represent a host adapter configured to facilitate communication between computing system510and one or more additional network or storage devices via an external bus or communications channel. Examples of host adapters include, without limitation, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) host adapters, Universal Serial Bus (USB) host adapters, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 host adapters, Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Parallel ATA (PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), and External SATA (eSATA) host adapters, Fibre Channel interface adapters, Ethernet adapters, or the like. Communication interface522may also allow computing system510to engage in distributed or remote computing. For example, communication interface522may receive instructions from a remote device or send instructions to a remote device for execution.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, exemplary computing system510may also include at least one input device528coupled to communication infrastructure512via an input interface530. Input device528generally represents any type or form of input device capable of providing input, either computer or human generated, to exemplary computing system510. Examples of input device528include, without limitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a speech recognition device, or any other input device.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of an exemplary network architecture600in which client systems610,620, and630and servers640and645may be coupled to a network650. As detailed above, all or a portion of network architecture600may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the intercepting, identifying, determining, performing, providing, authenticating, obtaining, storing, searching, comparing, receiving, updating, forwarding, and quarantining steps disclosed herein. All or a portion of network architecture600may also be used to perform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features set forth in the instant disclosure.

Client systems610,620, and630generally represent any type or form of computing device or system, such as exemplary computing system510inFIG. 5. Similarly, servers640and645generally represent computing devices or systems, such as application servers or database servers, configured to provide various database services and/or run certain software applications. Network650generally represents any telecommunication or computer network including, for example, an intranet, a WAN, a LAN, a PAN, or the Internet. In one example, client systems610,620, and/or630and/or servers640and/or645may include all or a portion of system100fromFIG. 1.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, one or more storage devices660(1)-(N) may be directly attached to server640. Similarly, one or more storage devices670(1)-(N) may be directly attached to server645. Storage devices660(1)-(N) and storage devices670(1)-(N) generally represent any type or form of storage device or medium capable of storing data and/or other computer-readable instructions. In certain embodiments, storage devices660(1)-(N) and storage devices670(1)-(N) may represent Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices configured to communicate with servers640and645using various protocols, such as Network File System (NFS), Server Message Block (SMB), or Common Internet File System (CIFS).

In addition, one or more of the modules described herein may transform data, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices from one form to another. For example, one or more of the modules recited herein may intercept at least one network data packet at a networking device, transform the network data packet, output a result of the transformation of the network data packet, and use the result of the transformation to eliminate redundant security analyses performed on the network data packet. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the modules recited herein may transform a processor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and/or any other portion of a physical computing device from one form to another by executing on the computing device, storing data on the computing device, and/or otherwise interacting with the computing device.