One sign of this growing phenomenon is that security and network management firms have been forming specific professional units targeted to providing such services. Some security companies, such as Axent and Network Associates, have even been buying firewall, encryption and anti-virus companies. While security vendors offer a variety of services, you must pick and choose to match your needs. The scan or test is based on known profiles or vulnerability. An organization would typically pay a monthly fee for this service, which the service provider may perform daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly.
Services provider monitors the network for suspicious activity and prevents attacks from occurring.
And they manage all the hardware and software tools, too. Companies typically pay a monthly fee for such services. Services vendor builds a virtual private network or provides a firewall to secure the privacy of data communications between sites. These services also might include virus, vandal and Web site blocking services that filter data and control Web site access. The vendor maintains the data files for viral signatures, hostile IP addresses or offending URLs.