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IBM Delivers Security
as a Service for Mid-Market
23 Apr 2008
 IBM introduced several
new services to help mid-sized businesses better manage risk and improve
the security of their IT systems. IBM developed these services in
response to recent IBM X-Force research that showed an alarming rise in
organized crime attacks on smaller organizations.
According to IBM's team of X-Force global security experts, because
mid-sized companies typically lack the vast information technology (IT)
resources needed to prepare for such attacks, they can often be prime
targets for network attacks, data breaches and other malicious threats.
To help these clients, IBM Internet Security Systems (ISS) and its
business partners are stepping up delivery of advanced security
solutions designed to help smaller businesses to safeguard against
criminal attacks, comply with industry standards and secure information,
applications, and IT infrastructures. The new services include:
- Express Penetration
Testing Services - services that uncover an
organization's vulnerabilities by simulating a real
network attack and mimicking the techniques used by
malicious attackers.
- Express Multi-Function
Security Bundle - new services that help provide the
most complete do-it-yourself protection against
network threats, vulnerabilities, worms, viruses,
spy-ware and spam in a single Unified Threat
Management (UTM) solution.
- Express Managed
Multi-Function Security Bundle - for clients who
prefer a fully managed multi-function security
solution, IBM is delivering a suite of products that
provide 24/7 comprehensive protection and
monitoring, as well as support a broad array of
security services including: firewall, VPN,
behavioral & signature antivirus, intrusion
prevention security (IPS), anti-spam, and Web
filtering.
- Express Managed Protection
Services for Server - affordable services that help
provide 24/7 protection for servers from a broad
array of threats as well as monitoring and
management services.
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Smaller organizations
are also grappling with the requirements of the Payment Card Industry
(PCI) standard, a global standard that applies to any company that
processes, transmits or stores credit card information. The standard was
created by credit card companies to help organizations prevent security
breaches. Any company that processes credit card data today could be
threatened by cyber-crime attacks, resulting in customer identity theft.
According to the February 2008 report by Forrester Research, Inc., The
State of SMB IT Security Adoption: 2007, only 32 percent of SMB
businesses believe they are fully compliant with the PCI standard.
As part of IBM's end-to-end solution for PCI, IBM is now helping smaller
organizations prepare for, and attempt to achieve compliance by
introducing:
- Express PCI Assessments -
assessment for companies that accept, store or
process credit card information for compliance with
the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security
Standard. IBM ISS is recognized as a Qualified
Security Assessor, certified to complete PCI
Assessments.
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In Europe, channel
distributor Computerlinks has broadened its existing relationship with
IBM to include the IBM ISS portfolio of security services.
"The IBM Express Managed Security Services portfolio offers the channel
a unique opportunity for cross-selling into the mid-market as well as
bringing new security services to market very quickly," said David
Ellis, Director of E Security and Professional Services at Computerlinks.
"As the need for protecting data and reducing the risk for our small to
medium-sized customers continues to grow, being able to provide a
service that specifically addresses their needs helps us to foster and
maintain a stronger relationship with them.
"With our Business Partners, we are prepared to help companies of all
sizes better manage risk and sleep better at night," said Rick Ruiz,
General Manager, General Business in IBM Global Technology Services.
"Quite simply, I don't believe there is any company in the world that
can match IBM's ability to help provide clients: preemptive, affordable,
end-to-end protection that stops threats before they impact their
business. This is about safety, security, and peace of mind."
IBM is the world's leading provider of risk and security solutions.
Clients around the world partner with IBM to help reduce the
complexities of security and strategically manage risk. IBM's experience
and range of risk and security solutions are unsurpassed -- from
dedicated research, software, hardware, services and global business
partner value -- helping clients secure business operations and
implement company-wide, integrated risk management programs.
IBM Threat Mitigation Express Advantage Services will be available later
this month. |
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