Real time firewall security

This invention relates to methods and systems for managing security in communication sessions across networks, and more particularly, to a methodology and system for managing security in telephony sessions over hybrid networks such as combined switched telephone networks and packet switched internetworks, such as the Internet. In one aspect the invention relates to an improved firewall mechanism and methodology for providing real time firewall security. A system and method for conducting a voice communication through a hybrid network which includes a packet internetwork, such as the Internet, connected to a circuit switched telephone network. The packet internetwork is connected to the switched telephone network through a static filter device, a packet switch, and a telephone network controlled gateway. A control processor is connected to the packet switch and to the filter device. The filter device generates a real time copy of call set up signaling dialog between the party requesting connection and the gateway which passes through or to the filter device. This duplicate of set up signaling is delivered from the filter device through the packet switch to the control processor. The control processor generates therefrom a filter device control signal which specifies the filter parameters derived from the set-up signaling dialog. This filter device control signal is delivered to the filter device and reconfigures the filter device to set filter parameters which are customized to the specific communication. The filter device thereupon filters the conversation stream of packetized voice.