RapidFire Tools Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, has rolled out a new software-based version of Inspector, an optional add-on for its Network Detective assessment and compliance solution.
On its own, Network Detective discovers network devices and scans them for potential security vulnerabilities. Inspector supplements that functionality with “deep dive” analysis of network layers 2 and 3, providing MSPs and their clients a more complete understanding of what’s on their network, how those resources are connected physically and logically, and where they may be exposed to attackers.
“An MSP can go and very quickly produce detailed maps of the network,” observes RapidFire president and CEO Michael Mittel, and then present that information to customers in reports bearing their own logo before proposing a risk mitigation plan.
Looking to simplify installation for its customers and prevent the system’s sometimes lengthy scans from slowing down an end user’s infrastructure, RapidFire previously shipped Inspector only as a physical appliance. That was a problem, however, for MSPs that either didn’t want to tote an Inspector device around to client sites when performing one-time assessments or that needed a more cost-effective way to deploy the solution permanently with customers they wished to monitor for changes and new vulnerabilities on an ongoing basis.
Today’s release gives channel pros the option of installing Inspector as either a physical appliance or a virtual one. “This allows them to spin up a VM on a server they already have available and make that server more productive,” Mittel says, noting that they can do so remotely if they wish as well, rather than visit a client’s office in person.
Furthermore, since the software-only edition of Inspector doesn’t require RapidFire to manufacture, ship, or support any hardware, it’s cheaper than the physical version too. While the hardware-based appliance sells for $139 a month, the new virtual appliance costs $99 a month instead.
“It makes it more economical for the MSP to deploy these things and leave these on site at their more valuable customers,” Mittel notes.
RapidFire is hardly the only vendor working to meet strong demand for threat assessment tools. LOGICnow introduced a vulnerability spotting solution of its own last month along with Barracuda Networks Inc., and distributor Ingram Micro Inc. launched a trio of security assessment offerings just a few weeks before that.
