Enabling network devices within a virtual network to communicate while the networks's communications are restricted due to security threats

A method, implemented on security service in a communication network, for enabling a first network device to resume network activities in a secure manner on the communication network when network activities on the communication network are generally blocked by protective security measures implemented by network security modules, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for security measures from a network security module interposed between the communication network and the first network device;
• determining whether the security service has been configured to deliver a relaxed set of security measures to the network security module, wherein the relaxed set of security measures, when implemented by the network security module, will enable the first network device to resume network activities in a secure manner on the communication network;
• and
• returning the relaxed set of security measures to the network security module if it is determined that the security service has been configured to deliver the relaxed set of security measures to the network security module.

A computer-readable medium bearing computer-executable instructions which, when executed on computing device that provides security measures to a plurality of network security modules interposed between a communication network and network devices, carry out a method for enabling a first network device to resume network activities in a secure manner on the communication network when network activities on the communication network are generally blocked by protective security measures implemented by network security modules, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for security measures from a network security module interposed between the communication network and the first network device;
• determining whether the computing device has been configured to deliver a relaxed set of security measures to the network security module, wherein the relaxed set of security measures, when implemented by the network security module, will enable the first network device to resume network activities in a secure manner on the communication network;
• and
• returning the relaxed set of security measures to the network security module if it is determined that the computing device has been configured to deliver the relaxed set of security measures to the network security module.

A computer networked system for enabling a first network device to resume network activities in a secure manner on a communication network when network activities are generally blocked by protective security measures implemented by network security modules, the system comprising:

• a communication network;
• a plurality of network security modules including a first network security module, wherein each of the plurality of network security modules is interposed between the communication network and a network device, the first network security module being interposed between the communication network and the first network device, and wherein each of the plurality of network security modules controls network activities to and from the protected network device by implementing security measures obtained from a security service means;
• and
• a security service means that provides security measures to at least the first network security module, the security service means being configurable by an administrator such that, when the plurality of network security modules are implementing security measures that block network activities to and from the plurality of network devices, the security service provides a relaxed set of security measures to the first network security module that, when implemented by the first network security module, permits the first network device to resume at least some network activities.