A partnership between information security specialist Beyond Security, and global ISP, Tiscali World Online, can save South African business the millions of rand lost annually from information security breaches perpetrated through the Internet.
A recent industry survey indicated that the average cost to a business of such a breach to its networks is said to be in the region of R575 000 per incident. A somewhat startling figure, yet many companies still fail to appreciate the enormous risk to which they are exposed, if their information security systems are inadequate.
"It`s no longer just a question of hackers stealing information," explained Steven Chalom, director of Beyond Security. "Nowadays, malicious intent is finding new avenues. Hackers are often driven by other sinister motives. Their aim is often to penetrate a network merely to utilise its bandwidth, and although no information is actually stolen, the impact on the targeted networks can be immense. This type of attack and the denial of service type attack (named for its ability to shut targeted systems down) are continuing to wreak havoc throughout the world`s computer networks at an ever-increasing rate.
"In SA, alarmingly, the trend is much the same, and while the Internet brings the world to your desktop, it unfortunately also makes the hacker in another country half-way around the world, your next-door-neighbour. Any vulnerable system is an invitation."
Chalom welcomes the Tiscali World Online partnership with enthusiasm. "Tiscali World Online`s recent acquisition of NetActive Internet adds a large corporate base to its massive home-user distribution network," he says, "and this, in turn will enable us to deliver the vital message to the corporates, that vigilant security processes do need to be in place, and that the potential for damage caused by on-going vulnerabilities within their Internet exposed systems is real."
The new Tiscali World Online offering is an automated Web-based service that will be marketed on a monthly subscription basis. Scans are scheduled weekly or twice monthly depending on the service option taken. The system performs over 1 100 separate security tests and checks, and is constantly and automatically updated as new tests are developed and new weaknesses emerge.
A full vulnerability assessment report is generated identifying and categorising security problems into high, medium and low risk areas, and providing detailed advice for eliminating assessed vulnerabilities and hardening systems.
Tiscali World Online is expanding its services significantly from the traditional ISP offerings of hosting and e-mail to include (among others) Beyond Security`s services. "The partnership will bring an important value-add to our clients," said Candice Gibson, Tiscali World Online marketing manager - Business Services. "Like ourselves, Beyond Security is a global firm, and we share similar visions and methodologies. We believe this security service will help South African companies realise how vulnerable many of them are, enable them to improve their risk profiles dramatically, reduce losses and provide them with a competitive-edge."
"Effectively managing one`s Information Security is an ongoing process," concluded Chalom. "As hackers constantly improve tools and methods, so the information security community must constantly upgrade its own solutions."
As an entity with a global presence and a highly specialised resource pool, reaching 16 countries, and constantly researching and developing new checks and technologies to counter attacks, Beyond Security is uniquely placed to create real value in the South African context, and the synergy with Tiscali World Online`s massive distribution network is clear from the outset. Hackers beware.
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Beyond Security specialises in vulnerability assessment, viewing Internet exposed networks from a hacker`s point of view, and adding the best brains in the security community to the defence arsenal of even the smallest corporate.
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