Network operating system vendor Vyatta has integrated Sourcefire Intrusion (News - Alert) Prevention System (IPS) into its suite of security solutions in an attempt to help its customers protect against cyber security threats.

Under the agreement, Sourcefire Vulnerability Research Team will update Vyatta (News - Alert) customers worldwide as to how they can identify and prevent critical threats from disrupting their network performance and availability.

Combining Sourcefire’s intrusion prevention system with Vyatta's software-based network creates an even more powerful solution for connecting and securing the ever-evolving enterprise network infrastructure, said company officials.

"Adding Sourcefire VRT Rules to the Vyatta PLUS suite of security services offers Vyatta customers an additional layer of proactive protection for their critical business resources," said Tom McCafferty, vice president of marketing at Vyatta.

Vyatta said the combination of this technology further strengthens the software-based networking solution that protects physical, virtual and cloud computing environments.

Packaged as a Vyatta PLUS add-on security module, Vyatta Sourcefire VRT Rules enable Vyatta users to discover, assess and respond to intrusion and hacking attempts.

"By integrating Sourcefire IPS rules into their unique software-based network OS, Vyatta can provide enterprise customers an unsurpassed approach to managing security in both physical and virtual environments," said Haig Colter, director of business development at Sourcefire.

Sourcefire recently claimed that Matt Watchinski, senior director of the Sourcefire Vulnerability Research Team, discovered a critical vulnerability, which Microsoft (News - Alert) disclosed in its bulletin.

Columbia, MD-based Sourcefire has often been recognized for its cyber security solutions by media and industry analysts alike -- with more than 50 awards and accolades.

Thousands of physical and virtual infrastructures around the world, from small enterprise to Fortune 500 customers, are connected and protected by Vyatta.