IBM Announces Global Security Initiative
Global Security Solutions Office Created to Address Global Issues, Coordination
ARMONK, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 19, 2001–
IBM Global Services Expands Security Practice; adds Kroll’s
Physical Security Protection to e-business security portfolio
IBM will expand its existing capabilities in security and technology services through a new global initiative announced today.
The initiative, built on a two-pronged approach, aligns IBM’s extensive safety and security offerings within an expanded IBM Global Services Practice and creates a new corporate-level Global Solutions Office to address broader and emerging safety and security issues in industry, global commerce and society.
IBM Global Services’ Safety and Security Practice
IBM Global Services will expand its existing, market-leading information security and privacy services to provide additional safety and security offerings and to better meet changing market demands. IBM is harnessing the worldwide expertise of 3,000 security consultants, implementation experts, engineers and technology architects, as well as nearly 100 researchers from IBM Research. They will work as a team to deliver safety and security solutions to businesses and the public sector, currently facing some of the most critical challenges in history.
IBM Security and Privacy service offerings currently include: assessments, security architecture, planning and design, implementation, management and outsourcing, and all interface with business continuity and disaster recovery solutions.
New service offerings range from enhanced intrusion detection services and vulnerability assessments to security policy assessments and managed firewall services for hosted customers; from scalable virtual private networking services, authentication services, content delivery, mobile connectivity, public wireless local area networks and cabling systems to a one-day class for corporate officers to assess what areas their organization should focus on to beef up safety and security.
The IBM Global Services Safety and Security Practice will be led by Rusine Mitchell-Sinclair, who has been named general manager of Safety and Security. By leveraging IBM’s decades-long experience and leadership in the security area with its global reach, Mitchell-Sinclair and her team will deliver the most comprehensive security offerings in the industry.
“We have evolved new offerings to meet changing market conditions in a new, hardened environment,” said Ms. Mitchell-Sinclair. “Customers who used to ask for `piece part’ services now want us to pull it all together for them, to provide a total assessment. In addition, we’re seeing customers placing a higher priority on prevention.”
IBM Taps Kroll To Add Traditional Security Protection to e-business security portfolio
IBM today also announced an important addition to its e-business security and privacy services by aligning with Kroll, Inc., a global provider of specialized security offerings that include corporate security, crisis management and business and asset protection.
Together, IBM Global Services and Kroll will provide a security protection package that includes a physical security assessment, an information technology infrastructure security assessment, gap analysis and “next steps” for companies that want to help protect against physical and cyber intrusion, espionage and business interruptions or loss.
Global Security Solutions Office
At the corporate level, the new office of Global Security Solutions will be headed by Elizabeth Primrose-Smith, IBM’s new vice president of Global Security Solutions. “Customers want guidance regarding emerging government and societal issues. Today’s environment demands more than traditional security and protection measures. New international legal and security issues are emerging every day,” said Ms. Primrose-Smith. “The Global Security Solutions Office will be the central coordination point for security technology, trends and solutions across our corporation, across geographies. And, we’re adding new areas and specializations, such as Biometrics and Biohazards,” Ms. Primrose-Smith said. Ms. Primrose-Smith formerly headed up IBM’s involvement in the Olympic Games.
“A big part of my job is to identify emerging security needs around the world and to make sure that our customers and IBM worldwide are informed and ready to respond,” said Ms. Primrose-Smith. “IBM Global Services and Global Security Solutions office are the teams which will ensure that IBM maintains its leadership in this vital area,” said Ms. Mitchell-Sinclair, adding that IBM has long been ranked a top provider of security services and technology by IDC and Gartner..
Independent organizations and researchers have found that security has been a top concern since early this year and a significantly heightened concern since September 11, 2001:
— About one out of five companies are reviewing major technology expenditures following Sept. 11th and many expect to boost spending on disaster recovery, security and backup software (Morgan Stanley survey, October 2001);
— Security services providers should “prepare to address increased demand for assistance in security assessments, awareness training, infrastructure upgrades and response planning (Gartner, September 2001);
— Protecting sensitive data and resources was the #1 concern among SHARE members in the 2001 Strategic Concerns Survey;
IBM’s new initiative also focuses on specific industry issues to better address critical needs. In addition to conducting enterprise wide safety and security assessments, IBM has mobilized solutions targeting the Financial, Travel and Transportation industries as well as the public sector. In the airlines industry, for example, new techniques have been identified to bring the best expertise, technology and devices together for managing safety and security in this industry. These range from emerging technologies in biometrics to managed security services.
IBM Offerings for Advanced Safety and Security Applications
IBM, the leading global information technology systems integrator, will provide customers with comprehensive solutions to diverse and complex safety and security needs. Customers are demanding systems to control access to secure areas, advanced data mining applications, integrated systems allowing secure access to multiple databases without inadvertent compromise of sensitive information, and systems to enable effective inter-agency communication, collaboration and cooperation. IBM offers solutions based on leading IBM security management software offerings such as Tivoli Policy Director, Tivoli Identity Director, Tivoli Privacy Manager and Tivoli Risk Manager, which includes the new Tivoli Intrusion Manager for mid-sized companies; products and services from IBM Business Partners, including leading biometric identification vendors, and on leading-edge technologies from IBM Research and Development Laboratories.
IBM’s safety and security initiative will utilize such global resources as the Global Security Analysis Lab in New York and Zurich; the Wireless Center of Competency in La Gaude, France; Security Competency Centers in Raleigh, North Carolina and Austin, Texas; and the Managed Security Services Center, Boulder, Colorado. Nearly 100 researchers around the world are dedicated to security-related technologies.
IBM Global Services
IBM Global Services is the world’s largest information technology services provider, with nearly 150,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries and annual revenue of more than $33 billion (2000). IBM Global Services integrates IBM’s broad range of capabilities — services, hardware, software and research — to help companies of all sizes realize the full value of information technology. For more information, visit: www.ibm.com/services.