Access and Session Control System?

Thu Sep 1 20:30:41 UTC 2011

Hello all.
I am looking at a variety of systems/methods to provide (vendor, employee) access into my dmz's. I want to reduce the FW rule sets and connections to as minimal as possible. And I want the accessing party to only get to the destination I define (like a fw rule).

When I refer to access, I'm referring to the ability of a vendor or employee to perform maintenance tasks on a server(s). The server(s) will be running apps for doing different tasks - such as Shavlik, etc..,  (patching, reports, logging, etc..), so I am envisioning allowing an outside vendor/employee (from the internet or corp. net) to RDP or SSH to a given Windows or Unix based machines, then perform their application work from that jumping off point - kind of like a terminal server; but I'd like to control and audit the sessions as well.

Overall, I can allow a host/port through the FW to a single host, but I wanted to be able to do the session management and endpoint controls. FW's are ok, but you know as well as I that I now deal with lots of rules sets. And I need to also authenticate the user.

We are a couple smaller facilities (150 hosts each) and I need to be able to control and audit the sessions when requested. I have considered doing a meetingplace server, then providing escorted access for them, or doing just the FW and a "jump" host - but need the endpoint and session solution, or just using VPN - but don't want to install a host on the vendor machines. I also have looked at a product called EDMZ - wondered if anyone had experience with it?

And did I say I wanted to keep it as simple as possible? :-) It's been a few years since I've done hands-on networking work, so excuse the long-winded letter. Feel free to email me directly too.

Sincerely
Barry Jones
CISSP, GSNA