Cisco ASA 5500 Series adaptive security appliances are purpose-built solutions that combine best-of-breed security & VPN services with the innovative Cisco Adaptive Identification & Mitigation (AIM) architecture. Designed as a core component of the Cisco Self-Defending Network, the Cisco ASA 5500 Series provides proactive threat defense that stops attacks before they spread through the network, controls network activity & application traffic, & delivers flexible VPN connectivity. The result is a powerful multifunction network security appliance family that provides the security breadth & depth for protecting home office, branch office, small & medium-sized business, & enterprise networks while reducing the overall deployment & operations costs & complexities associated with providing this new level of security.