For example: historically, network security has been viewed as a collection of products used primarily to secure the network perimeter or site-to-site connectivity. Today, finding and fixing individual network security holes is not enough because the cost of security breaches is high and can take many forms, including network downtime, theft of proprietary information, and loss of revenue.

As a result, security now requires a system-level approach to securing the entire network—the perimeter, data centers, campus LAN, wireless LAN, desktops, and endpoint hosts. Securing the network is an ongoing process that enables the corporation to help ensure the efficient and effective pursuit of corporate missions and goals.