Security for Virtual Infrastructures - understanding virtualisation to simplify security

Server, storage, application and desktop virtualisation all have the capacity to produce clear benefits including reduced costs, improved availability and faster deployment.

Though you might not want to virtualise your active security applications, there are benefits to virtualising security for training and network testing.

While not all security solutions are available in a virtualised form, those that are can really help an organisation train staff and develop innovative security management procedures in a safe ‘sandbox’ environment.

Virtualisation can provide significant benefits, provided administrators take proper precautions in setting up their virtual networks.

New security threats are likely to be developed that will attempt to target virtual infrastructures.  

However, there’s nothing new in that. It’s the same situation facing traditional networks.

To round up and restate, there is no compelling security argument why an organisation shouldn’t go right ahead and virtualise their infrastructure.

Andrew Fourie, UK country manager at integrated security appliance specialist, Astaro.