A highly effective algorithm for detecting threats to computer networks developed by the National Secuirty Agency (NSA) in Ft. Meade, Md., has been licensed to Equilibrium Networks, Inc., of Alexandria, Va. "Therminator," as the advanced intrusion detection algorithm is called, has the potential to enhance computer network security nationwide.
Network security is essential for national security and is critical to the U.S. military as well as to government, commercial, and industrial infrastructures. Intrusion detection systems have not kept pace with the nation's growing dependence on computer networks and the staggering increases in data contained on these networks. Current systems are usually effective at detecting known intrusion techniques; however, they often fail to detect new types of attacks. Therminator not only detects anomalies that other intrusion detection systems miss, it also can identify improper equipment configurations in these systems.
The licensee, Equilibrium Networks, plans to broadly commercialize the NSA intrusion detection technology for military, government, and private-sector applications.
TechLink, a Department of Defense partnership intermediary, helped the NSA and the company with the licensing and transfer of the technology.
