Patent ID: 7168093

Claim:
A security system for a computer network, the network having a plurality of devices connected thereto, at least some of the devices having security-related functions, the security system comprising: (a) a security subsystem associated with at least some of the devices in the network which tests the integrity of the security-related functions; (b) a master system which monitors the integrity of the security subsystem and receives and stores results of the integrity testing of the devices having security-related functions; and (c) a secure link connected between the security subsystem and the master system, the master system monitoring the integrity of the security subsystem and receiving the results of the integrity testing of the devices having security-related functions through the first secure link, wherein one of the master system and the security subsystem further monitors whether a device having security-related functions responds to said one of the master system and the security subsystem, and wherein one of the security subsystem and the master system takes action when no response is detected.