Network security architecture expert Robert Bird saw the difficulties universities have protecting their systems while maintaining an open and collaborative environment. As director of network services at the University of Florida's 10,000 user residence hall network, Bird began designing a system that could identify users and track their activity on the university network while protecting their privacy.
He's built up a cache of more than a dozen patents in the area of network security and traffic inspection and founded Red Lambda Inc., a Longwood, Fla.-based company that is used widely at universities and colleges.

At the heart of Red Lambda's technology is its deep packet inspection (DPI) software engine. The technology is somewhat akin to a network firewall, but it is connected to analysis software that can correlate user identities with the applications being used on the network. DPI makes some privacy advocates cringe, but Bird is quick to point out that while the technology can be used to scan content -- the feature is available and can be turned on by an administrator -- enterprises and universities are not interested in seeing that level of information.

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