#USA #Santa Clara #Network Security #Forward Networks #Endpoint Collection

Forward Networks Enhances Network Digital Twin

Forward Networks, a prominent player in network digital twin technology, has recently unveiled substantial advancements to its Forward Enterprise platform. The latest enhancements include cutting-edge endpoint discovery and collection capabilities, crafted to support security and operations teams as they navigate the ever-increasing demands of compliance in today’s digital landscape.

As enterprises grow and diversify, the number of network endpoints, which encompass laptops, IoT devices, printers, and controllers, continues to surge. Conventional endpoint collection tools often struggle to keep up, functioning in isolation and providing inadequate data that requires extensive manual effort to maintain. This fragmentation leads to tool sprawl, excessive costs, and elevated risks. Forward Networks tackles this issue by seamlessly integrating endpoint discovery, collection, and analysis into its comprehensive network digital twin system, ensuring an always-accurate portrayal of all connected devices and their interactions across the network.

Chiara Regale, Senior Vice President of Product and User Experience at Forward Networks, noted, "We are committed to enhancing the analytical capabilities and transparency of Forward Enterprise, assisting our clients in maintaining agile, predictable, and secured networks. These latest improvements enable teams to bolster operational efficiency, simplify compliance adherence, and diminish reliance on outdated, isolated tools – all while maximizing their potential without necessitating further staff increases."

The Forward Enterprise platform has established its reputation for delivering an unparalleled inventory of network devices, detailing their configurations and operational status. This insightful data empowers NetOps and SecOps teams to comprehensively understand network behavior, uphold compliance standards, prevent outages, and mitigate risks effectively. Historically focused on L2–L7 packet-pushing devices, the recent upgrades allow Forward Networks to encompass a broader spectrum, including IoT devices, controllers, and end-user systems—resulting in a single source of truth for network data.

One of the key features of the updated endpoint collection is the powerful Network Query Engine (NQE) that offers:

• - Automated discovery of all connected endpoints, irrespective of type or location.
• - Inclusive contextual analysis of device connectivity and security exposure.
• - Real-time reconciliation with various data sources including DNS, IPAM, host scanners, and CMDBs.
• - Proactive notifications regarding inventory inconsistencies or security-related alterations.
• - Built-in compliance checks along with audit-ready documentation.

These capabilities are fully incorporated into the Forward Enterprise platform, granting customers the ability to substitute disjointed legacy tools with a cohesive, integrated solution. By consolidating endpoint, network, and security data into a singular platform, organizations can significantly minimize complexity, enhance accuracy, prevent outages, and respond more swiftly to potential risks.

Forward Enterprise stands out as the only authentic network digital twin, producing a mathematically accurate representation of the entire network, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. With support for over 30 vendors and more than 900 operating system versions, it provides exceptional visibility and compliance insights. Furthermore, its unique, read-only data collection method identifies previously unknown devices while integrating with CMP for a complete and risk-free overview, proving scalable to exceed 50,000 devices in a single instance. This efficiency delivers an average annual benefit of $14.2 million through enhanced efficiency and security practices.

For those wanting to explore these innovations firsthand, Forward Networks will be exhibiting as a Bronze Sponsor at the RSA Conference in San Francisco from April 28 to May 1, 2025. Pre-booking options are available for those wishing to see the platform in action without the wait.

Founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D. graduates, Forward Networks is transforming how extensive networks are governed. Its advanced software solutions enable network operators to maintain secure, reliable, and agile networks, supporting devices from all significant networking vendors and cloud service providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Investors backing Forward Networks comprise notable names like MSD Partners, Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz, and others. Additional information can be found at www.forwardnetworks.com.