SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENTLY CLASSIFYING AND SELECTING AMONG SECURITY POLICY ALTERNATIVES FOR OUTBOUND NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS

摘要

A computer-implemented method of selecting among a plurality of endpoint policy alternatives to apply to a message conveyed over a data communications network is provided. The method can include assigning a score to each of the plurality of endpoint policy alternatives, wherein an assigned score is based upon policy assertions of the endpoint policy alternative to which the score is assigned. The method can further include selecting, according to a predetermined selection criterion, one of the plurality of endpoint policy alternatives based upon the assigned scores.