Cisco's QoS mechanisms provide predictable services and scalability for a broad range of applications. We then allow network managers to protect that growth by addressing enterprise network security in ways that complement CiscoAssure. Cisco security technologies enable the linkage of user and host identity with security policy and allow the network to enforce that policy. Enforcement of security policy at the network level provides the greatest returns on users' security investments because the network touches each client, host, and application. Products developed by WheelGroup Corp., which was recently acquired by Cisco, will help strengthen the active audit portion of the strategy.
Cisco also offers products designed to meet various firewall requirements within a network.
Cisco firewall products let network managers realize even more powerful security architectures by implementing a layered security strategy. No other networking vendor offers this kind of flexibility in its security solutions. Cisco's users are demanding increasing linkage between their mission-critical applications and networks. Through CiscoAssure Policy Networking, through new multilayer gigabit switches such as the Catalyst 5500 and 8500, and through a comprehensive array of security products, Cisco is delivering scalable, secure solutions.