Sourcefire Security Solutions: Firepower, AMP, Snort, and Immunet
In an era of evolving cyber threats, a layered security defense is essential for protecting critical network infrastructure. Sourcefire provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to offer deep visibility, proactive threat prevention, and rapid response capabilities across networks and endpoints.
Firepower Security Appliances
The Sourcefire Firepower line consists of appliances engineered to function as part of a multi-layered defense strategy. These versatile systems can be deployed in several configurations depending on the specific security needs of the organization.
Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPS)
The Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPS) provides comprehensive network visibility. It allows administrators to monitor hosts, operating systems, applications, services, protocols, and users. Furthermore, it analyzes content, network behavior, and identifies both network attacks and malware.
Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
The Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) integrates NGIPS capabilities with traditional firewall functions. This combination incorporates access and application control alongside robust threat prevention.
Integrated NGIPS Capabilities
For organizations requiring a consolidated approach, the NGIPS can be deployed with integrated features including:
- Application control
- Malware protection
- URL filtering
Dedicated Malware Protection
For high-risk environments, a dedicated Advanced Malware Protection appliance can be deployed for inline network protection specifically targeting advanced malware.
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Advanced Malware Protection (AMP)
Sourcefire Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) utilizes big data analytics to discover, understand, and block sophisticated threats. It is specifically designed to combat advanced malware outbreaks, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)—which are prolonged and targeted cyberattacks—and other targeted intrusions.
AMP leverages Sourcefire's cloud security intelligence to provide continuous analysis and retrospective alerting, ensuring that threats are identified even if they were previously unknown. Deployment options for AMP include:
- Inline via a product key on NGIPS
- Dedicated AMP Firepower appliances
- Endpoints, virtual, and mobile devices via FireAMP
Snort: Open Source Intrusion Detection
Snort is a widely recognized open-source network intrusion prevention and detection system. It employs a rule-driven language that combines three primary inspection methods: signature-based, protocol-based, and anomaly-based inspection.
Developed in collaboration with the Snort open-source community, it is claimed to be the most widely deployed intrusion detection and prevention technology globally.
Immunet and Clam AntiVirus
Immunet is a security tool that utilizes cloud virus definitions in conjunction with definitions from Clam AntiVirus. Clam AntiVirus is an open-source (GPL) anti-virus toolkit primarily used on UNIX operating systems for e-mail scanning on e-mail gateways.
The Clam AntiVirus package includes a multi-threaded daemon, a command-line interface scanner, and a tool for automatic database updates, with its core anti-virus engine available as a shared library. While Immunet was originally offered in Free and Plus versions, Immunet Plus was discontinued on June 10, 2014, and was replaced by the Cisco-supported Immunet Free version.
Key Facts
- Firepower can be deployed as either an NGIPS or an NGFW.
- AMP uses big data analytics and cloud intelligence for retrospective alerting.
- Snort utilizes a combination of signature, protocol, and anomaly-based inspection.
- Immunet Free is the current version of the tool, supported by Cisco.
- Clam AntiVirus is primarily used for e-mail scanning on UNIX systems.
| Product | Primary Function | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower | Network Defense | NGIPS and NGFW deployment options |
| AMP | Malware Analysis | Big data analytics and retrospective alerting |
| Snort | Intrusion Detection/Prevention | Open-source rule-driven language |
| Immunet | Anti-Virus | Cloud and Clam AntiVirus definitions |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NGIPS and NGFW in the Firepower line?
An NGIPS focuses on network visibility and the detection/prevention of attacks and malware, while an NGFW integrates those NGIPS capabilities with access control and traditional firewall functions.
How does Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) handle new threats?
AMP uses big data analytics and cloud security intelligence to provide continuous analysis and retrospective alerting, allowing it to identify and block advanced malware and APTs.
What inspection methods does Snort use?
Snort utilizes a rule-driven language that combines signature-based, protocol-based, and anomaly-based inspection methods to detect and prevent intrusions.
Is Immunet Plus still available?
No, Immunet Plus was discontinued on June 10, 2014, and has been replaced by Immunet Free, which is supported by Cisco.
What is Clam AntiVirus used for?
Clam AntiVirus is an open-source toolkit primarily used on UNIX operating systems for scanning e-mail on e-mail gateways.