Scrutinizer from Plixer International (News - Alert), a provider of NetFlow-based traffic analysis and threat detection technologies, is a free traffic analysis tool that uses the flow-based analysis technologies already found on many commercial routers and switches in order to identify network traffic patterns and unusual host behavior.

Scrutinizer is designed to peer deep into network traffic, so network administrators can gain insight into who is consuming abnormal amounts of bandwidth, what the bandwidth is being used for and quarantine the offender. This would help the organization to utilize precious bandwidth for crucial business needs.

Recently, the company’s Scrutinizer NetFlow traffic analysis solution was selected as a finalist in the 4th Annual 2012 Golden Bridge Awards within the IT (Software) category. Plixer's Scrutinizer solution rose to the finalist level, thanks to its 100 percent, Web-based capabilities that provide detailed network utilization reports showing the applications and users generating network traffic, according to company officials.

The simple-to-use network traffic monitoring solution impressed judges with its ability to provide a unique and cost-effective way to protect digital assets.  It also provides a way to analyze traffic which relates to destination IP addresses, destination port numbers, protocol types, router input interface, source IP addresses, source port numbers, and types of services.

"The advent of employees connecting their personal iPads and Android (News - Alert) tablets as well as smartphones to corporate networks, has placed a great strain on bandwidth resources as well as opened a portal for malicious software attacks," said Michael Patterson (News - Alert), Plixer International's CEO and co-founder, in a statement.

"Our Scrutinizer offering gives IT administrators and network security personnel a simple-to-understand view into network data traffic patterns so they may instantly spot anomalies and quarantine devices to prevent potential data breaches,” Patterson added. “We are honored to be considered for such a prestigious award."

Winners of the annual Golden Bridge Awards program will be honored during the 4th annual awards dinner and presentations on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, in San Francisco, Calif.

In other company news, TMCnet has reported that the NetFlow provider it is sponsoring West Coast Advanced NetFlow Training courses. The training will help companies avoid similar data breaches that nearly 272 companies already reported in the first six months of 2012. 

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