Affirmative Technology Services secures mitigation solution against physical, environmental threats with Netbotz

Specifically focusing on risk mitigation consulting, which covers business continuity and information security management, ATS has decided to extend its service delivery capability to include physical and environmental mitigation and monitoring capabilities.

Says Peet Smith, Director at ATS: "Companies sometimes spend so much time worrying about cyber attacks that they forget about the basic problem of physical threats. Types of physical threats that should be factored into a security programme include theft, sabotage, human error and environmental disruption."

The ATS delivery model have long focused on virtual risks, but at some point all things virtual become physical. It is that crossing point - where physical infrastructure and systems provide an access point to the virtual world - that the link between physical threats and virtual threats is most apparent. Two perspectives exist that highlight the need and power of new physical threat monitoring systems - protecting systems from physical attacks and using systems to make protection more effective.

In order to achieve this extended service delivery, ATS is finalising an agreement with Netbotz, a UK-based company which specialises in environmental and physical component monitoring. This extended service delivery forms part of ATS`s growth strategy, and is in line with ATS`s vision to provide a total end-to-end solution for specific customer requirements.

NetBotz appliances are intelligent, protective devices which are deployed and positioned within server rooms, closets... virtually anywhere vital IT equipment and network connections reside. Once in place, NetBotz appliances keep the network and IT equipment up and running by protecting the devices from water damage, humidity, smoke, lack of airflow... almost any environmental problem that can bring the network down. The appliances also provide an additional level of security through notification when individuals come in contact with or tamper with any device on the network.

Negotiations between ATS, Netbotz and ComGuard are in an advanced state and the target date for ATS to become an official VAR for the Netbotz product range is set for end January 2005. A reseller agreement will be signed with ComGuard FZ-LLC, which is an appointed and independent distributor of Netbotz products for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. ComGuard recently extended its operations into the southern African region.

Chris Bester, senior Operations Manager, says: "ComGuard is excited over the prospect of working with and supporting ATS, who we see as a strong player in the local IT security market and an ideal partner to extend and address the integration of information and physical security in a holistic security approach. ATS will in turn benefit from the extensive security experience of ComGuard engineers and consultants to ensure the best possible service to their clients."

ATS sales staff and engineers are in the process of product and system certification, the first phase of which has already been completed. All certification training will be completed by end January 2005.

ATS is looking forward to this exciting challenge and opportunity to serve the industry by protecting systems from physical attacks and using systems to make protection more effective.