UUNet SA today launched the UUsecure alliance to partners, promising "a one-stop security shop".
The three-way alliance consists of a consortium with NetCom Solutions SA and Nanoteq as partners, with UUNet fronting the alliance and providing sales and first tier support.
[AUDIO]The new business is to offer anti-virus and virtual private networking services, as well as security products and services including firewalls, content security and intrusion detection.
UUNet product manager for UUsecure, Dean van Vuuren, says NetCom and Nanoteq were selected after a six-month evaluation process. "We partnered with NetCom and Nanoteq because each brings something unique to the partnership. NetCom is very strong in outsourced intrusion detection, while Nanoteq has expertise in firewalls and security consulting.
"We have basically created a one-stop shop for security, with a single point of contact and all the products you need."
NetCom and Nanoteq will implement the security products and provide ongoing monitoring and management, as well as handling second and third tier support.
"We will probably go for a three-way [revenue] split," says Van Vuuren, "although the details still need to be ironed out. It will depend on the products and the vendors."
The alliance has a revenue target of R15 million for 2001, and he says the group is optimistic about reaching it.
"We have based that on what it is out there. There is not a lot of work being done in the market yet, but it will be a very big thing very soon." In a press statement, the alliance cites a report stating that e-security services will exceed $4 billion in Western Europe by 2004, making it one of the fastest growing segments in the IT services arena.
The alliance will first target UUNet`s existing base of corporate customers, but expects to expand to smaller clients in the future.
Chris Davis, director of network security at NetCom, says that because of a skills shortage, it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to handle their own security requirements.
"If you think of the resources you need in terms of numbers of people to run your own security shop, it is quite phenomenal. There are not enough trained people. We have gathered all those skills you need together under one roof."
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