NetIQ this week announced capabilities the security and systems management vendor says will apply IT process automation technology to security and compliance policies.

NetIQ, which is an Attachmate business, last year introduced its Aegis IT process automation platform that provides customers with the tools and technology needed to automate repetitive processes typically performed by IT operations staff. Now the vendor, which recently took part in Network World's tests of security event and information management (SEIM) products, is applying its automation technology to the security realm. 

"These adapters give both operations and security teams advantages in how they can be more efficient in working together, which may lead to more synergy between the two groups," says Travis Greene, chief service management strategist at NetIQ.

NetIQ Aegis Adapter for Security Manager and Secure Configuration Manager are installed on the same server as the Aegis platform. Aegis includes three core components -- reconciliation/integration software, workflow/correlation technology and presentation/user interface tools -- that can be installed on one dedicated server or distributed across several servers for scalability. Aegis works with existing software agents installed in customer networks to collect data or kick off automated tasks.

Greene explains the security angle will help security teams ensure policies are enforced while also complying with separation of duties requirements mandatory in many regulations.

"This will give operations and security the ability to converge while also maintain segregation of duties because Aegis shares the information without opening up systems to full-blown access. It allows policy to be embedded into security process and automated," he says. "IT will be able to do things faster from a security perspective."

NetIQ Aegis Adapter for Security Manager and Secure Configuration Manager are scheduled to be available in July and are free to download for existing Aegis customers. Pricing for the Aegis platform begins at $50,000. NetIQ intends to release more adapters to its and third-party products to enable automation across multiple systems going forward.

Denise Dubie is senior editor with Network World.