Dimension Data To Offer Security And Risk Management Service

Dimension Data (Didata), a South African-based solution provider with U.S. headquarters here, said the offering goes beyond protection to include security breach detection and appropriate response.

"There has to be a protection layer to keep people out," said David Stelzl, national solutions director for security at Didata. "But there also has to be a detection layer to know if someone is intruding, and finally, you have to be able to respond before damage is done."

As part of the offering, a team of certified information systems security professionals and security engineers analyze assets and business drivers and use hacker tools, commercial assessment tools and hands-on analysis to examine all layers of the IT system, including people, processes, technology, applications and physical security.

Key technology partners include Check Point Software Technologies, Cisco Systems, RSA Security and Network Intelligence. Didata said it plans to target health-care companies and financial services companies, particularly regional banks that need to comply with federally mandated security standards, with the offering.

"We're definitely targeting the midmarket, because the middle market has not been able to pay large consulting firms for front-to-back assessments," Stelzl said. "This is a modular approach."

Pull-through security-related revenue opportunities can also more efficiently be targeted with the launch of Security Surveyor, Stelzl said.

For instance, the IT security consulting to develop a managed security plan throughout the application network may roll into engagements that include ongoing security management and monitoring, he said. Companies also have the option of outsourcing all of their IT security work to Didata.

Pricing for the new security offering varies, but generally starts in the $25,000 range and moves up from there, Stelzl said. At the same time, he said Surveyor for Security is flexible enough to assess a single perimeter or an entire IT infrastructure.

"We definitely want this to be one of our core focus areas," Stelzl said. "It's on a fast growth track, and we know the demand is there."