Systems and methods for automated learning of externally defined network assets by a network security device are provided. According to one embodiment, updated information for a network asset associated with a private network is received by a network security device from an external asset management device associated with the private network. The updated information includes a change in a definition or an attribute of the network asset. The existence of a current definition and attribute information for the network asset is determined by the network security device. The current definition and attribute information is dynamically updated based on the updated information by the network security system within a run-time representation of security policy rules within a kernel of a network security operating system without disrupting on-going application of one or more security policy rules defined for the network asset to network traffic directed to or originated by the network asset.