IBM and Cisco Systems have expanded a partnership to provide businesses with automated identity and access security to networks. . . .
The two companies announced Thursday that they have integrated IBM's Tivoli network management software with Cisco's networking products to help businesses protect their networks from worms and viruses before employees get on the network. The combined offering sets criteria for users and devices logging on to the network.

IBM and Cisco first announced their partnership in February.

When someone tries to log on to the network, IBM's Tivoli software scans the machine to ensure that it has all the required security patches, antivirus updates and other software running on it. The update is sent to Cisco's Access Control Server through the Cisco Trust Agent, software that is pre-installed on every user's machine. If the device connecting to the network complies with all the security policies that have been previously set, the person is allowed to log on. If it doesn't, the device is quarantined on a separate virtual LAN (local area network) link and the Tivoli software prompts the person to download the necessary software.