Security made simple

RedCreek Communications Inc. last week announced a new management tool for

virtual private networks designed to let non-technical managers set and

enforce security policies across an organization.

The RedCreek e-Director (ReD) provides central management of all the

RedCreek VPNs throughout an agency. Many security products can be difficult

to manage, especially when it comes to the continual changes that must be

made to react to changing personnel, policies and environment. The ReD is

designed so that it is easy for someone without a technical background to

manage a complex security policy, said Steve Peters, executive vice president

of engineering at RedCreek.

Using templates, a security manager can choose the security level needed

for a certain application or group of users. The ReD then turns the appropriate

technical commands on or off to enable that security level, Peters said.

RedCreek's products are available through Patriot Technology Inc.'s

General Services Administration schedule contract. Patriot offers other

security products, and ease of use has definitely become an issue, said

Bruce Tucker, president of Patriot.

"As government continues to reinvent itself, the need for it to be easier

to manage products is essential; when it comes to security, you can't have

any mistakes," he said.