Systems and Methods for Processing Data Flows

Abstract

A flow processing facility, which uses a set of artificial neurons for pattern recognition, such as a self-organizing map, in order to provide security and protection to a computer or computer system supports unified threat management based at least in part on patterns relevant to a variety of types of threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. Flow processing for switching, security, and other network applications, including a facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of conditions are directed at internal network security, virtualization, and web connection security. A flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps. Exposing threats and intrusions within packet payload at or near real-time rates enhances network security from both external and internal sources while ensuring security policy is rigorously applied to data and system resources. Intrusion Detection and Protection (IDP) is provided by a flow processing facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of types of network and data integrity threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 216,739 filed on Aug. 24, 2011 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING DATA FLOWS”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 926,292 filed on Oct. 29, 2007 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING DATA FLOWS”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 610,296 filed on Dec. 13, 2006 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING DATA FLOWS”, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Application Ser. No. 11 / 610,296 claims the benefit of the following provisional applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. App. No. 60 / 749,915 filed on Dec. 13, 2005 and entitled “HIGH SPEED PATTERN MATCHING”; U.S. App. No. 60 / 750,664 filed on Dec. 14, 2005 and entitled “USING NEURAL NETWORKS TO DETECT ANOMALOUS COMMUNICATIONS FLOWS”; U.S. App. No. 60 / ...

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