What Risks Lurk On the Web?

As enterprises increasingly transact business on the Web, one player in the electronic security space recognizes the need for long-term risk management for e-commerce as a new and expanding direction for its channel partners.

Internet Security Systems (ISS), an Atlanta-based vendor of adaptive risk-management solutions, has launched its SecurEcommerce initiative to bolster its offerings to partners focusing on e-commerce, raise awareness of e-commerce security issues in the channel and help partners address those issues with their clients.

The goal of the initiative, says Chris Rossi, vice president of partner and channel programs for ISS, is to position security spending for the client as part of an e-commerce budget expense, as opposed to having to look for security-specific budget dollars.

"We''re seeing that information security is increasing rapidly in visibility and awareness in the customer community--as well as the partner community--because of the increasing amount of electronic business that is being transacted, says Rossi. "[E-commerce is ultimately] about the commerce that''s transacted on networks each day. And it''s just as important for a Fortune 100 company as it is for a smaller company. With the SecurEcommerce initiative, we really think we have packaged solutions that our partners can take to a broad spectrum of customers."

SecureEcommerce bundles range in price from $2,995 to $22,000. Bundles are based on customer size and need and include various modules of ISS'' SAFEsuite risk management software targeted to monitoring and securing specific areas of the enterprise, including Web, database, FTP and mail servers and other mission-critical devices, such as firewalls and routers.

All bundles include one-year maintenance and installation of upgrades during that time, an important inclusion, according to Rossi, because ISS issues eight to 12 upgrades during the year as new vulnerabilities in systems are identified and addressed.

ISS is looking to expand its partner base of approximately 100, Rossi adds. Interested VARs should visit ISS'' Web site at www.iss.net/securecommerce or call ISS at (800) 776-2362.