IBM Helps Smaller Companies Protect Their Computer Networks

Market Wire, July, 2006

IBM today announced a new managed service targeted at helping businesses with fewer than 500 employees protect their computer networks. IBM Express Managed Security Services for Firewall and VPN is designed to implement a security-enhanced firewall and enable clients to connect multiple locations and remote users using the latest Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology.

The service includes an onsite hardware appliance that can be managed remotely by IBM, making the IBM Express Managed Security Services for Firewall and VPN one of the most simple, easy-to-use firewall and VPN solutions on the market. Virtually no IT skills are required for setup, which can take less than 15 minutes, and clients can feel comfortable that their networks have the latest updates, which are made remotely and automatically by IBM.

Small businesses are prone to the same security threats as larger companies, but they often lack the large IT budgets or trained technical staff to set up identity management systems. As a result, managed service solutions are a fast growing part of the market. In fact, according to Business Insights, managed security services are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% to a total of over $2.8 billion by 2008.

"Our new Express Firewall and VPN service expands IBM's small and medium business managed services portfolio, addressing customers' top concern -- security," states Michael Riegel, Director of IBM Express Managed Services. "The service was specifically designed and developed to provide high-growth enterprises with ease of use, and 24x7 support," adds Riegel.

The key features of IBM Express Managed Security Services for Firewall and VPN include:

Ease-of-Use:

--  "Plug and play" architecture that can be deployed in minutes
--  Automatically downloads configuration data and updates
--  Browser-based management portal with intuitive customization options
    

Enhanced Security and Performance:

--  SSL tunneling for security-enhanced Site-to-Site and Remote
    communications with less overhead
--  Real-time Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization capabilities
--  Ongoing, automatic, 24x7 updates to help reduce "zero-day" attacks
--  Stateful firewall inspection for full packet analysis
    

Dependability:

--  Backed by world-class IBM service and support and 24x7 help desk
    access
--  Remotely maintained configuration backups for disaster recovery
    

Transparent Pricing:

--  No hardware maintenance or repair costs
--  No hidden software license fees
--  Fixed, easy-to-understand monthly charge
    

Pricing for a typical 100 employee firm starts at only $95/location/month, which is up to 50% less expensive than other competitive offerings in the market, and includes a 30-day free trial.

IBM Express Managed Security Services for Firewall and VPN, which will be generally available on July 28, 2006, in the U.S. and most of Europe, joins an entire portfolio of IBM Express Managed Services designed to meet the needs of high-growth enterprises and is also available from IBM's business partners, enabling them to offer managed security solutions and expand their services portfolio with investment. For more information about IBM managed services for high-growth enterprises, visit www.ibm.com/services/expressmanagedservices .

About IBM:

For more information on IBM, visit www.ibm.com .

For more information, contact: My Luu IBM (914) 765-6647 myluu@us.ibm.com