Think Warm And Fuzzy

HEATHER CLANCY

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Can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

Security experts debated—no, argued—last week over how to patch and protect the increasingly vulnerable Windows metafile until Microsoft can deliver a fix, even while bracing for another Sober worm attack scheduled for last Friday. And, as if that wasn&'t enough to ponder and digest, the acquisitive Symantec up and buys IMlogic, effectively mainstreaming the instant-messaging security market and leading one to ask, “How safe are my instant messages?” It&'s enough to send the average security staffer into a corner for a contemplative sulk, much like the “Peanuts” character Linus, who was given to moments of thumb-sucking introspection while clutching his tattered, aptly named blue security blanket.

Actually, all this activity is just another signal that security simply can&'t be considered an adjunct IT concern for any company, small or large. All the more reason that security has to be simpler to install and manage, a major mantra you&'ll hear in 2006.

That sentiment was shared late last month by RSA Security President and CEO Art Coviello, who spoke with CRN ahead of next month&'s RSA Conference, one of the security world&'s biggest confabs. Coviello estimates that of the 85 million people who log onto networks every day, only 22 million use some form of strong authentication. This big gap explains why he&'s anticipating new-customer growth of 15 percent to 20 percent each quarter this year for RSA, especially for its channel-led SMB strategy.

Indeed, the ability of solution providers to make security seem less intimidating to businesses without emasculating the effectiveness of the end result will be overarching this year. Some of you may choose not to invest in that expertise yourselves, one reason I predict you&'ll see a huge resurgence in managed security services. Hint: Keep an eye on how RSA handles its recent Cyota acquisition, which gives it the basis for an antifraud and authentication subscription service. And also watch McAfee, which is planning a managed services rollout before the end of the first quarter.

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What&'s your security concern of the moment? HEATHER CLANCY, Editor at CRN, is interested in your feedback at [email protected].