SAVVIS introduces managed security services -- ADTmag

SAVVIS introduces managed security services

By ADT Staff
December 19, 2005

SAVVIS announced a portfolio of managed security utility services it calls the SAVVIS Security Utility. The utility does not require hardware or software to be installed or managed at the customer's premises.

It leverages "in-the cloud" security components, such as in-network firewalling, distributed denial of service and worm attack mitigation for a WAN, as well as virtualized security components such as hosted firewalls and intrusion detection systems. All services can be monitored by customers via SAVVIS' Web portal, which allows users to directly view activity in their environment. The result is a set of managed security utility services that are ubiquitous to all IT operations and provide for compliance, yet are transparent to IT resources.

By taking a holistic view of security components, and by integrating security management into all IT operations, the Security Utility services are less expensive than that of dedicated infrastructure and allow for better capacity planning, according to SAVVIS. And, by its nature as a centrally managed service, the utility allows for automatic technology refresh as IT threats change and security solutions evolve.

Gartner estimates that spending on IT security services worldwide will reach $24.6 billion by 2009. IT management services will be the fastest-growing sector.

A virtualized IT utility services delivery platform provides every piece of the IT infrastructure—network, hosting, security, storage and computing—on a flexible and highly scalable basis. This allows SAVVIS to offer customers a variety of cost-effective utility hosting models, including security services, which can be mixed and interchanged. These virtualized on-demand services, which require no up-front capital expense, can provide tailored service levels to match the unique needs of each app for customers in a wide variety of industries.

"End-to-end security is an essential ingredient in delivering a viable utility computing solution," says Jeffrey M. Kaplan, managing director of THINKstrategies, an independent strategic consulting company. "SAVVIS has created a comprehensive security portfolio and management infrastructure to satisfy the operational and regulatory requirements of its enterprise customers."

"Security is a top priority for SAVVIS' enterprise customers," says Chris Richter, VP and GM, Security Products and Services, of SAVVIS. "The challenge has been how to deliver multi-layered security across all IT systems without building out a complex hardware infrastructure of security devices. SAVVIS' Security Utility solves that problem by allowing businesses to easily layer on virtualized security services that deliver on value and performance, while maintaining security best practices and compliance."