<PAGE>   1
                                                        
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 1997.

                                                    Registration No. 333-

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                      ------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                      ------------------------------------

                          CONCORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Massachusetts                                   04-2710876
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)


                            33 Boston Post Road West
                          Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752
                                 (508) 460-4646
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                      ------------------------------------

                        1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                            (Full title of the plans)

                      ------------------------------------

                                 John A. Blaeser
                      Chief Executive Officer and President
                          Concord Communications, Inc.
                            33 Boston Post Road West
                          Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752
                                 (508) 460-4646
           (Name and address including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                      ------------------------------------

                                    Copy to:
                           Edwin L. Miller, Jr., Esq.
                         TESTA, HURWITZ & THIBEAULT, LLP
                       High Street Tower, 125 High Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 248-7000

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

                  --------------------------------------------


================================================================================


<PAGE>   2



                                       -2-

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
=====================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
                                                           Proposed       Proposed
                                                            Maximum        Maximum
                                              Amount        Offering      Aggregate       Amount of
Title of Securities                           to be        Price Per      Offering       Registration
to be Registered                            Registered       Share          Price            Fee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                           <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>   
1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN  
Common Stock (Par Value $.01 Per Share)       375,000     $18.6875(1)     $7,007,813      $2,124

TOTAL:                                        375,000                                     $2,124
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  The price of $18.6875 per share, which is the average of the high and low
     prices of the common stock of the registrant reported on the Nasdaq
     National Market on October 20, 1997, is set forth solely for purposes of
     calculating the filing fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and (h).


<PAGE>   3



                                       -3-

                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1.   PLAN INFORMATION.

          The documents containing the information specified in this Item 1 will
be sent or given to employees, directors or others as specified by Rule
428(b)(1). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the instructions to Form S-8, such
documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.

Item 2.   REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.

          The documents containing the information specified in this Item 2 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1). In accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8,
such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

          The following documents filed with the Commission are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement:

          (a)  Registrant's Prospectus dated October 15, 1997 as filed with
               the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) of the Securities Act
               of 1933, (the "Securities Act"), on October 16, 1997; and

          (b)  The section entitled "Description of Registrant's Securities to
               be Registered," contained in the Registrant's Registration
               Statement on Form 8-A, filed on September 12, 1997 pursuant to
               Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
               (the "Exchange Act").

          All documents subsequently filed with the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities
offered herein have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

          Not applicable.

<PAGE>   4
                                      -4-


Item 5.   INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

          Not applicable.

Item 6.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          The Restated Articles of Organization of the Company and the Restated
By-Laws provide for indemnification of the Company's directors and officers
unless such indemnification is prohibited by the Massachusetts Business
Corporation Law. The Massachusetts Business Corporation Law generally permits
indemnification of the Company's directors and officers for liabilities and
expenses that they may incur in such capacities, except with respect to any
matter that the indemnified person shall have been adjudicated in any proceeding
not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action
was in the best interest of the Company. Reference is made to the Company's
corporate charters filed as Exhibit 3.01 and 3.02 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, as
amended (the "S-1") and Restated By-Laws filed as Exhibit 3.03 to the Company's
S-1.

          The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Underwriters are
obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Reference is made to the form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.01 to
the Company's S-1.

          Pursuant to an agreement between Charles River Partnership VII Limited
Partnership and Mr. Richard M. Burnes, Jr., Charles River Partnership VII has
agreed to indemnify Mr. Burnes against any liability incurred in his capacity as
a director of the Company.

          The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers and has obtained directors and officers liability
insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers.

Item 7.   EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

          Not applicable.

Item 8.   EXHIBITS.

          EXHIBIT NO.    DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
                         
          Exhibit 5.1    Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (filed
                         herewith).
                         
          Exhibit 23.1   Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (contained
                         in Exhibit 5.1).
                         
          Exhibit 23.2   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (filed herewith).
                         
          Exhibit 24.1   Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature
                         page to this Registration Statement).


<PAGE>   5
                                      -5-

                        
Item 9.   UNDERTAKINGS.

          (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
                    being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
                    Statement:

                    (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
                         of the Securities Act of 1933;

                    (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                         arising after the effective date of the Registration
                         Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                         thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
                         represent a fundamental change in the information set
                         forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
                         the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
                         securities offered (if the total dollar value of
                         securities offered would not exceed that which was
                         registered) and any deviation from the low or high and
                         of the estimated maximum offering range may be
                         reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
                         Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
                         aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
                         more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
                         offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                         Registration Fee" table in the Registration Statement;

                    (iii) To include any material information with respect to
                         the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
                         the Registration Statement or any material change to
                         such information in the Registration Statement;

                         provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 
                         (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to
                         be included in a post-effective amendment by those 
                         paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
                         or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant 
                         pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated 
                         by reference in the Registration Statement.

               (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
                    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
                    shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating
                    to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
                    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
                    bona fide offering thereof.

               (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
                    amendment any of the securities being registered which
                    remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

          (b)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
               of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
               each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
               13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
               (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
               annual report pursuant to 


<PAGE>   6
                                      -6-


               Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
               incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

          (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
               Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
               and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
               foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
               advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
               Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
               expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
               unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
               against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
               Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
               controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
               any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
               officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
               being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
               its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
               submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
               whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
               expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
               adjudication of such issue.


                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


<PAGE>   7
                                      -7-


                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Concord Communications, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Marlboro,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 20th day of October, 1997.

                                    Concord Communications, Inc.

                                    By: /s/ John A. Blaeser                  
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        John A. Blaeser
                                        Chief Executive Officer and President


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          We, the undersigned officers and directors of Concord Communications,
Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint John A. Blaeser and Gary E.
Haroian, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys, with full power
to them and each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the capacities
indicated below, any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and generally to do all things in our names and on our
behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Concord
Communications, Inc., to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be
signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and
all amendments thereto.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         SIGNATURE                     TITLE(S)                        DATE
         ---------                     -------                         ----


<S>                              <C>                               <C>
/s/ John A. Blaeser              Chief Executive Officer,          October 20, 1997
-------------------------------  President and Director 
John A. Blaeser                  (Principal Executive Officer)



/s/ Gary E. Haroian              Vice President, Finance and       October 20, 1997
-------------------------------  Administration, Chief Financial 
Gary E. Haroian                  Officer, Clerk and Treasurer
                                 (Principal Financial and 
                                 Accounting Officer) 
                                 


/s/ Frederick W. W. Bolander     Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Frederick W. W. Bolander


/s/ Richard M. Burnes, Jr.       Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Richard M. Burnes, Jr.


/s/ Robert C. Hawk               Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Robert C. Hawk


 /s/ John Robert Held            Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
John Robert Held

 
/s/ Deepak Kamra                 Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Deepak Kamra


/s/ Robert M. Wadsworth          Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Robert M. Wadsworth
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   8



                                  Exhibit Index
                                  -------------



Exhibit No.               Description of Exhibit                     Page Number
-----------               ----------------------                     -----------

    5.1        Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP

    23.1       Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP 
               (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

    23.2       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

    24.1       Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature 
               page to this Registration Statement)
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "CONCORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.", "secsgml_size_bytes": 19565}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CONCORD COMMUNICATIONS INC", "cik": "0000915290", "assigned-sic": "3669", "irs-number": "042710876", "state-of-incorporation": "MA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-38363", "film-number": "97698747"}, "business-address": {"street1": "33 BOSTON POST ROAD WEST", "city": "MARLBORO", "state": "MA", "zip": "01752", "phone": "5084604646"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "33 BOSTON POST ROAD WEST", "city": "MARLBORO", "state": "MA", "zip": "01752"}}
1
                                                        
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 1997.

                                                    Registration No. 333-

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                      ------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                      ------------------------------------

                          CONCORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Massachusetts                                   04-2710876
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

                            33 Boston Post Road West
                          Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752
                                 (508) 460-4646
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                      ------------------------------------

                        1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                            (Full title of the plans)

                      ------------------------------------

                                 John A. Blaeser
                      Chief Executive Officer and President
                          Concord Communications, Inc.
                            33 Boston Post Road West
                          Marlboro, Massachusetts 01752
                                 (508) 460-4646
           (Name and address including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                      ------------------------------------

                                    Copy to:
                           Edwin L. Miller, Jr., Esq.
                         TESTA, HURWITZ & THIBEAULT, LLP
                       High Street Tower, 125 High Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 248-7000

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

                  --------------------------------------------

================================================================================
2

                                       -2-

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

=====================================================================================================
Proposed       Proposed
                                                            Maximum        Maximum
                                              Amount        Offering      Aggregate       Amount of
Title of Securities                           to be        Price Per      Offering       Registration
to be Registered                            Registered       Share          Price            Fee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN  
Common Stock (Par Value $.01 Per Share)       375,000     $18.6875(1)     $7,007,813      $2,124

TOTAL:                                        375,000                                     $2,124
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  The price of $18.6875 per share, which is the average of the high and low
     prices of the common stock of the registrant reported on the Nasdaq
     National Market on October 20, 1997, is set forth solely for purposes of
     calculating the filing fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and (h).
3

                                       -3-

                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1.   PLAN INFORMATION.

          The documents containing the information specified in this Item 1 will
be sent or given to employees, directors or others as specified by Rule
428(b)(1). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the instructions to Form S-8, such
documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.

Item 2.   REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.

          The documents containing the information specified in this Item 2 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1). In accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8,
such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

          The following documents filed with the Commission are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement:

          (a)  Registrant's Prospectus dated October 15, 1997 as filed with
               the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) of the Securities Act
               of 1933, (the "Securities Act"), on October 16, 1997; and

          (b)  The section entitled "Description of Registrant's Securities to
               be Registered," contained in the Registrant's Registration
               Statement on Form 8-A, filed on September 12, 1997 pursuant to
               Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
               (the "Exchange Act").

          All documents subsequently filed with the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities
offered herein have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

          Not applicable.
4
                                      -4-

Item 5.   INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

          Not applicable.

Item 6.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          The Restated Articles of Organization of the Company and the Restated
By-Laws provide for indemnification of the Company's directors and officers
unless such indemnification is prohibited by the Massachusetts Business
Corporation Law. The Massachusetts Business Corporation Law generally permits
indemnification of the Company's directors and officers for liabilities and
expenses that they may incur in such capacities, except with respect to any
matter that the indemnified person shall have been adjudicated in any proceeding
not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action
was in the best interest of the Company. Reference is made to the Company's
corporate charters filed as Exhibit 3.01 and 3.02 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, as
amended (the "S-1") and Restated By-Laws filed as Exhibit 3.03 to the Company's
S-1.

          The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Underwriters are
obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Reference is made to the form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.01 to
the Company's S-1.

          Pursuant to an agreement between Charles River Partnership VII Limited
Partnership and Mr. Richard M. Burnes, Jr., Charles River Partnership VII has
agreed to indemnify Mr. Burnes against any liability incurred in his capacity as
a director of the Company.

          The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers and has obtained directors and officers liability
insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers.

Item 7.   EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

          Not applicable.

Item 8.   EXHIBITS.

          EXHIBIT NO.    DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
                         
          Exhibit 5.1    Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (filed
                         herewith).
                         
          Exhibit 23.1   Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (contained
                         in Exhibit 5.1).
                         
          Exhibit 23.2   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (filed herewith).
                         
          Exhibit 24.1   Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature
                         page to this Registration Statement).
5
                                      -5-

                        
Item 9.   UNDERTAKINGS.

          (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
                    being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
                    Statement:

                    (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
                         of the Securities Act of 1933;

                    (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                         arising after the effective date of the Registration
                         Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                         thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
                         represent a fundamental change in the information set
                         forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
                         the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
                         securities offered (if the total dollar value of
                         securities offered would not exceed that which was
                         registered) and any deviation from the low or high and
                         of the estimated maximum offering range may be
                         reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
                         Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
                         aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
                         more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
                         offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                         Registration Fee" table in the Registration Statement;

                    (iii) To include any material information with respect to
                         the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
                         the Registration Statement or any material change to
                         such information in the Registration Statement;

                         provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 
                         (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to
                         be included in a post-effective amendment by those 
                         paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
                         or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant 
                         pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated 
                         by reference in the Registration Statement.

               (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
                    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
                    shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating
                    to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
                    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
                    bona fide offering thereof.

               (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
                    amendment any of the securities being registered which
                    remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

          (b)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
               of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
               each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
               13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
               (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
               annual report pursuant to
6
                                      -6-

               Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
               incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

          (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
               Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
               and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
               foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
               advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
               Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
               expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
               unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
               against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
               Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
               controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
               any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
               officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
               being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
               its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
               submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
               whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
               expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
               adjudication of such issue.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
7
                                      -7-

                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Concord Communications, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable
grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Marlboro,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 20th day of October, 1997.

                                    Concord Communications, Inc.

                                    By: /s/ John A. Blaeser                  
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        John A. Blaeser
                                        Chief Executive Officer and President

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          We, the undersigned officers and directors of Concord Communications,
Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint John A. Blaeser and Gary E.
Haroian, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys, with full power
to them and each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the capacities
indicated below, any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8
(including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and generally to do all things in our names and on our
behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Concord
Communications, Inc., to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be
signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and
all amendments thereto.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE                     TITLE(S)                        DATE
         ---------                     -------                         ----
/s/ John A. Blaeser              Chief Executive Officer,          October 20, 1997
-------------------------------  President and Director 
John A. Blaeser                  (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Gary E. Haroian              Vice President, Finance and       October 20, 1997
-------------------------------  Administration, Chief Financial 
Gary E. Haroian                  Officer, Clerk and Treasurer
                                 (Principal Financial and 
                                 Accounting Officer) 
                                 

/s/ Frederick W. W. Bolander     Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Frederick W. W. Bolander

/s/ Richard M. Burnes, Jr.       Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Richard M. Burnes, Jr.

/s/ Robert C. Hawk               Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Robert C. Hawk

 /s/ John Robert Held            Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
John Robert Held

 
/s/ Deepak Kamra                 Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Deepak Kamra

/s/ Robert M. Wadsworth          Director                          October 20, 1997            
-------------------------------
Robert M. Wadsworth
8

                                  Exhibit Index
                                  -------------

Exhibit No.               Description of Exhibit                     Page Number
-----------               ----------------------                     -----------

    5.1        Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP

    23.1       Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP 
               (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

    23.2       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

    24.1       Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature 
               page to this Registration Statement)