Researchers develop network-security visualization tools

The National Center for super-computing applications is developing visualization tools that will offer network-security engineers new techniques to recognize and thereby be able to avoid and fight cyberattacks. The goal of both tools is to provide a situational awareness of security on large and complex computer networks that is unavailable with current technology. NVisionIP provides an overview and detailed information about devices on a network, while VisFlowConnect examines traffic for problems by analyzing relationships between network devices. The tools format the information in bar and line graphs and other easy-to-visualize displays to make it easier for engineers to readily see patterns and determine a network's security status. The tools could also be used for security forensics.