The increasing value and vulnerability of IT assets -- coupled with a trend away from large, monolithic organizational structures toward virtual enterprises -- are challenging network security. Individuals and organizations are empowered with more and more computing devices and sophisticated content creation and collaboration tools. Yet there are strong risk and regulatory pressures on IT security to constrain connectivity, user functionality and control.

Another dilemma for network security is de-perimeterization of the network. De-perimeterization -- a phenomenon described by the Jericho Forum, Burton Group and others wherein centralized firewalls have become less effective -- is upon us. Additional firewall functionality is being added to endpoints as well as internal network access points. Computer devices are getting smaller and more numerous; device endpoints are splintering into virtual endpoints; and applications are decomposing into services. Business trends such as outsourcing, partnering and a mobile workforce create continuing pressure for organizations to share information electronically across distributed IT environments.