System and method of utilizing security device plugin for external device monitoring and control in a secured environment

A system to support external device monitoring and control in a secured environment, comprising:

• a first set of one or more network security devices, each of which
• accepts and integrates a first plugin so that the each of the first set of one or more network security devices obtains the functionalities offered by the first plugin to communicate with a second set of one or more network security devices;
• establishes a first communication link with one of the second set of one or more network security devices via the first plugin following a first communication protocol;
• issues and transmits a command to the one of the second set of one or more network security devices over the first communication link via the first plugin to monitor status and/or control an operation of an external device associated with the one of the second set of one or more network security devices;
• said second set of one or more network security devices, each of which
• accepts and integrates a second plugin so that the each of the second set of one or more network security devices obtains the functionalities offered by the second plugin to communicate with and control said external device;
• establishes a second communication link with said external device via the second plugin following a second communication protocol;
• accepts and relays the command from one of the first set of one or more network security devices to the external device over the second communication link via the second plugin to monitor status and/or control the operation of the external device remotely.

A computer-implemented method to support external device monitoring and control in a secured environment, comprising:

• accepting and integrating a first plugin on each of a first set of one or more network security devices so that the each of the first set of one or more network security devices obtains the functionalities offered by the first plugin to communicate with a second set of one or more network security devices;
• establishing a first communication link with one of the second set of one or more network security devices via the first plugin following a first communication protocol;
• issuing and transmitting a command to the one of the second set of one or more network security devices over the first communication link via the first plugin to monitor status and/or control an operation of an external device associated with the one of the second set of network security devices;
• accepting and integrating a second plugin on each of said second set of one or more network security devices so that each of the second set of one or more network security devices obtains the functionalities offered by the second plugin to communicate with and control said external device;
• establishing a second communication link with said external device via the second plugin following a second communication protocol;
• accepting and relaying the command from one of the first set of one or more network security devices to the external device over the second communication link via the second plugin to monitor status and/or control the operation of the external device remotely.