Week in Security: Web Defacement Contest, Merisel Agent Program

• Security experts warned of a coordinated Web defacement slated for Sunday, July 6. Internet Security Systems said it raised its threat level because of the organized Web defacement competition. ISS advised companies to make sure outward-facing Web servers are secured.

• Merisel launched an agent partner program with Network Associates, creating a new Web site, buy.merisel.com, as the sales channel for the program. The program will match end-user sales requests with the closest participating agent.

• Nokia announced a new addition to its series of security platforms, the Nokia IP 1260. The new high-end device, which incorporates Check Point Software Technologies' VPN-1/FireWall-1 Next Generation with Application Intelligence, features 4.2 Gbps of large packet firewall throughput and 400 Mbps of small packet firewall throughput, and supports 1 million simultaneous firewall connections.

• Sophos said it recorded 3,855 new viruses in the first six months of this year, up 17.5 percent from the same period last year. The most prevalent virus this year is last month's Bugbear-B worm, which accounted for almost 12 percent of all viruses reported to Sophos.

• ServGate Technologies, a supplier of security appliances, launched a Key Partner Program for VARs, consultants and system integrators serving the small- and midsize-business markets. The program offers three levels to provide support in direct marketing, partnership selling and technical assistance.

• Siemens Venture Capital increased its investment in NetContinuum, raising total funding for the Web security appliances company to more than $55 million.

• Network Associates named Parveen Jain president of the company's new McAfee Network Security Technologies Group. Jain was president and CEO of IntruVert Networks, a maker of intrusion-prevention appliances, which Network Associates acquired in May. The new business unit will focus on enterprise network protection, including intrusion prevention.