Netcordia Solves Key PCI Compliance Vulnerability: the Configuration of Information Networks

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Netcordia, the leader in network automation software, is helping companies achieve Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance by addressing a key vulnerability: the configuration of complex enterprise information networks.

A new whitepaper details key steps to achieve and maintain PCI compliance across the network – as simple password changes, adding a router or making other network changes could lead to a breach, fines or worse: millions of dollars in losses due to irreparable brand damage.

The PCI compliance challenge is compounded as today’s information and communications networks grow ever more complex, with a variety of equipment and software from various vendors, and all of the interdependencies involved.

Netcordia helps more than 200 enterprises actively monitor their entire networks – from a multi-vendor, cross-platform and holistic perspective – and identify configuration vulnerabilities before a compliance audit finds the gaps.

Whitepaper Pinpoints the Vulnerability and Easy Fixes

Netcordia’s new whitepaper, Achieving Network Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Compliance with Netcordia’s NetMRI, provides a clear framework for defining and executing strategic PCI compliance policies within the most multifaceted networks.

While PCI compliance is not a legal requirement, monthly fines for non-compliance are just the tip of the iceberg – lost revenue, retail stock price and customer refunds can amount to well into the millions.

Netcordia’s Network PCI Compliance whitepaper addresses how retailers, financial services firms and companies entrusted with processing credit card payments online can build, maintain and monitor secure networks. It details best-practice policies used in Netcordia’s NetMRI™ product to:

• Establish specific configuration policies, monitor and enforce them. Find ways to automatically detect erroneous or undesirable configuration changes made during the addition, deletion or scheduled maintenance of a network device – and keep a detailed archive for compliance audits or to roll-back to a “last known good” configuration state.
• Assign unique IDs and passwords to protect the network from hackers. Vendor-supplied default passwords leave networks vulnerable; regular monitoring can automatically check for passwords that haven’t been changed and flag them for immediate action.
• Automatically detect and track changes made to the network. Set up a change-alert system and proactively analyze potential vulnerabilities. Even seemingly inconsequential changes can have detrimental ramifications: adding a new service or tuning the network for a new application can degrade performance – or worse, cause an outage.

Netcordia helps organizations maximize network effectiveness and ensure compliance by utilizing built-in expert rules to assess, audit and proactively detect potential issues across multi-vendor communication network infrastructures. Netcordia's award-winning NetMRI solution dramatically increases network availability and response time, while giving back precious hours − and even days − to stretched-thin network administrators.

Copies of the whitepaper are available at Netcordia’s booth, #2425, or download from: http://netcordia.com/resources/whitepapers.asp.

About Netcordia

Netcordia is a leading provider of network automation software to the world’s most complex and mission-critical networks. Its award-winning NetMRI network change and configuration management (NCCM) solution continuously audits multi-vendor infrastructures, identifies anomalies early and speeds resolution. Netcordia helps more than 200 leading healthcare, financial services, academic, service and government organizations stretch IT budgets, improve overall performance, meet corporate policy and comply with stringent federal regulations. Founded in 2000, Netcordia is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information, visit www.netcordia.com.