Intrusion prevention: Intrusion-prevention systems are designed to improve security, enhance network virus protection, and thwart unforeseen attacks. Read about Cisco intrusion prevention systems, network virus protection, and types of network security attacks.

---

As viruses, worms, and hackers continue to plague business-technology systems, companies are turning to new technologies to avert attacks.

New intrusion-prevention systems are better able to stop attacks, Michael Assante, VP and chief security officer of American Electric Power says.

Though many companies now use antivirus software, intrusion-detection systems, and firewalls, hackers and worms still infiltrate business-technology systems and cause serious damage. Attacks such as Blaster, MyDoom, and Witty cost businesses more than $10 billion annually.

To combat the growing problem, security professionals are in search of better protection. They need more-intelligent shields that can fend off new attacks as they happen, rather than relying on signatures--tiny snapshots of code used to spot and block attacks--published by security vendors only after attacks are under way.

Intrusion-prevention systems may be the protection companies are looking for. Unlike conventional antivirus, firewall, and intrusion-detection systems, these proactive tools are designed to protect vulnerable computers and thwart unforeseen attack methods.

"Intrusion-prevention systems have a learning capability, and these engines are more intelligent and better able to identify and stop attacks," says Michael Assante, VP and chief security officer at energy producer and distributor American Electric Power Co.