Computer Associates is readying what could be among the most comprehensive product suites in the emerging security information management market.

The first two parts of that suite, which is dubbed the eTrust Security Command Center, include a package for overseeing multivendor intrusion-detection systems (IDS) and firewalls, and another for managing host-based access-control, antivirus and content-filtering systems. Beta-test versions of the software, which will run on Windows 2000 and XP, are scheduled for release around February, according to Simon Perry, CA's vice president of security strategy.

Like other SIM offerings, CA's products would be aimed at providing customers with centralized control and reporting of multivendor security products across a company to achieve event correlation and eliminate the use of a large number of consoles. Where CA's approach to SIM appears to differ from that of most other vendors is that it is looking to help companies manage a wider variety of product types.

This is the first time we're doing integrated security management, Perry says.

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