A large medical center sought a powerful security solution that could continuously protect its high-throughput network without compromising network performance. It also required a healthy network: one that is safe from hackers, worms, viruses, and spyware, that can compromise performance of the medical's life-critical applications or the federally mandated confidentiality of its medical records. In addition, the security system needed to be cost-effective and interoperate transparently with the medical center's muti-vendor infrastructure. How would an intrusion prevention system (IPS) provide the pervasive and proactive protection that the medical center required?

Contact the vendors of 2 commercial intrusion prevention systems and ask them at least 3 questions of your own choice about the products capabilities. You can contact the vendors directly or gather the information from their websites. Next, write at least a three page paper in current APA format that lists the selected vendors, chosen products, questions asked, and provided answers, and any other additional details you feel are pertinent. Evaluate each product and then compare the products. Is there one which you think is better and why or would it be application dependent?