Telkom has highlighted the value of companies investing in reliable information security services to prevent their networks from Internet-based attacks.
Increased incidents of security breaches have seen horror stories about hackers attacking company computers, stealing information and rendering business systems useless. According to Telkom`s business development specialist Lynette Flaxman, companies swept security breaches under the carpet as it is not good business in case customers find out. Talking to journalists at the Futurex Conference in Johannesburg today, Flaxman said many companies did not treat information security as an issue that required management attention. "For a business to take information security seriously requires attention on a 24x7 basis. Breaches are more likely to occur at night when generally no IT people are present. For many small companies to employ full-time IT security staff on a 24 basis is not a financially sound proposition. Many companies now outsource their IT security to Managed Service Providers who have the skills and the staff available on a 24x7 basis, while they take care of their core business," said Flaxman.
There are various ways of securing an organisations` information.
"A firewall will separate a proprietary network from the Internet and restrict data access. A properly implemented Firewall Management Service will also protect the network from Internet-based attacks, detect any breaches or attempted breaches and initiate appropriate responses to attacks.
"In addition, a managed security surveillance service will stop malicious attackers before they enter a network, while managed anti-virus protection measures will ensure that a network remains protected against viruses at all times," said Flaxman. She added that "identity theft" was another issue many businesses were grappling with, but this can be prevented through hardware and software tokens, smartcard solutions, device encryption and biometrics.
Flaxman said the first step in securing one`s business from risks was to identify a competent information Security Provider to design, implement, and maintain your network and IT infrastructure.
"To this end, Telkom not only provides Security Consulting, Security Auditing services, Risk Assessment, Vulnerability scanning, Malicious Code protection, Policy Development, Firewall Management, Surveillance and Identity Management services, but also provides the IT infrastructure surrounding your business, secure hosting thereof and one global service level agreement. What more could any CEO want from a managed security provider," said Flaxman.
Benefits associated with outsourcing information security management include efficiencies that derive from employing less full-time staff. More importantly, though, is the fact tat a business is buying services it cannot provide in-house. These services include:
* 4x7 monitoring, analysis and support of security network elements.
* Skilled staff with the technical expertise and competency to manage and support operational functions.
* New infrastructure procurement or upgrades and handled by the MSP who typically manages equipment and software that is owned or leased.
* Security management can be performed from the Telkom Network Operations centre (economies of scale), without the customer needing to make an additional investment for their own network.
* More timely and accurate knowledge of security threats and potential incidents handled by a team of skilled specialists.
* Telkom has contact with highly qualified and specialised international security experts who can be brought in to diagnose and resolve customer issues.
For more information on outsourcing information security visit www.telkom.co.za
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