IBM is to
ship new software that can help organisations keep their businesses
up and running when a sudden glut of security patches must be
deployed.
The software can
prevent patches from clogging networks or bringing down software
applications that can slow down the performance of business
transactions, such as online purchases or loan processing, said Big
Blue
IBM's new Tivoli
Provisioning Manager for Software, available later this quarter,
automates the distribution of software patches using “automated
bandwidth control”, which prepares computers for spikes in network
activity caused by a barrage of security patches.
The software also
sets guidelines for passwords and ensures that firewalls are
running on PCs.
“Distributing
security patches or fixes throughout large, global enterprises can
be a drag on on-line business operations,” said Alan Ganek, IBM
Tivoli software chief technology officer.
“A surge of
patches can slow down or temporarily halt business transactions,
which can cost a company time and revenue,” he said.
The new software
can also help companies make sure security policies are being
enforced and that the latest patches and software requirements are
automatically updated across an organisation.
It also helps
companies make sure that mobile devices remain compliant with
security requirements.
Tivoli
Provisioning Manager for Software includes virtualisation
technology IBM acquired in 2006 from Rembo.