SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING RULES FOR COMMUNICATION WITH A HOST

Systems and methods for establishing rules for communication with a host. Network activity data for communications between Host A and Host B may be collected and analyzed by a rules engine to create rules governing communications between the Host A and Host B. The rules may then be loaded in a first, centralized, database, where an activity analyzer engine may analyze trends in rule growth to determine if a gateway for Host A, which will control communications to and from Host A, is ready for deployment. Once it is determined that the gateway is ready for deployment, the rules may be replicated from the first, centralized database to a second, regional database associated with Host A. The gateway may then be enabled based on the rule data stored in the second, regional database so that the gateway can determine if communications between the Host A and Host B violate the rules. Post-deployment of the gateway, the rules may be continually updated based on changes to the network, etc., or based on input from network administrators. Embodiments of the present invention could be used, for example, to prevent test trade orders, used at a trading firm to test how order flow will be handled by new software, from reaching a trading exchange.