Features - Storage Innovations:

NETWORK INTELLIGENCE INTROS STORAGE SOLUTION FOR SEM MARKET

Network Intelligence Corp announced the release of its add-on storage array -- the first storage solution developed exclusively for the SEM market. Using the array, Network Intelligence's customers are able to retain over 360TB of security data per Network Intelligence Engine LS series cluster, helping them comply with security and compliance regulations. Rather than replacing traditional secondary/tertiary network storage, the solution provides an immediate and accessible repository that keeps critical security data protected and separated from less-sensitive information. The storage array works as a plug-and-play with the Network Intelligence Engine appliance, and maps to market demands to contain explosive storage costs.

As regulatory requirements mandate companies to monitor network and database security -- oftentimes requiring firms to keep records for six months or longer - network storage costs can climb dramatically. The add-on storage array allows companies to manage these costs by providing a single repository for security event data. In addition, storage costs are further reduced by LogSmart, Network Intelligence's log event capture and warehouse system, which decreases storage consumption and reduces costs by compressing raw data greater than 95 percent in real-time with zero data loss.

"When you look across the Security Event Management market it is clear that a solid storage solution was needed to capture and retain network data that would be called upon during an evidence period in a regulatory situation," said Phebe Waterfield of Yankee Group Research. "What Network Intelligence has given the market is a way to capture the network data in hardware form which brings down the cost of storage and allows for easy implementation into an existing security solution."

"The solution from Network Intelligence solves a tough industry problem. Satisfying security best practices like HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley and GLBA, requires collecting, correlating and reporting against a vast amount of security data," said Randy Lahti, president of Optin Security Corp, a network managed security services provider. "Addressing today's security needs is forcing companies to move from simple firewalls to comprehensive security solutions that feed back end technologies like the products from Network Intelligence."

Add-on Storage Array Features

Network Intelligence's add-on storage array works as a plug and play solution with Network Intelligence's SEM appliances. The hardware is available in two models -- the ST1000, which stores one terabyte of data; and the ST3000, which stores up to three terabytes of data. Additional features include:

• Data Safety: Each of the add-on storage arrays includes a hardwareaccelerated RAID5 controller that features automatic background disk rebuilds, global hot-sparing and redundant power supplies and cooling. Each add-on array ships with 14 disk drives dedicated to data storage and one disk preconfigured as a global hot-spare that will automatically take over in the event of a primary data drive failure.
• Security: By plugging directly into the Network Intelligence Engine, the array looks like part of the SEM platform and cannot be seen by other storage solutions already in use. By not engaging with other storage devices, the array provides a secure place to store sensitive data such as customer and employee information and allows for quick and easy retrieval when running analysis.
• Performance: Network Intelligence's add-on storage array has a dedicated hardware accelerated controller that connects to the Network Intelligence Engine appliance through an Ultra SCSI interface. The arrays controller has been specifically optimized for the LogSmart database and automatically optimizes disk reads and writes for best possible performance under varying user loads.
• Scalability: Companies can attach up to two ST add-on arrays to any of the Network Intelligence Engine models in the EX, HA and LS series. Network Intelligence's LS distributed series can connect up to two arrays to each appliance in the LS cluster and provides scalability to over 360TB total in a maxed out cluster configuration.

"Our customers requested a secure storage solution for security event data that was fast, easy to deploy and cost efficient. Our new add-on storage array gives them a one-stop-shop when storing data while allowing them to managing their bottom lines," said Matt Stevens, president of Network Intelligence.