SAN JOSE, Calif, Nov. 6, 2001 - Continuing to expand its market leadership by delivering security and virtual private network (VPN) solutions for real-world business demands, Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced the addition of 11 new providers, and expansion of existing provider offerings for its Managed Security Services Initiative. Today's announcement demonstrates the growing customer demand for Cisco-preferred managed security and VPN solutions.
Cisco today announced the addition of the following new providers to its Managed Security Services Initiative: AT&T; Broadwing; Cervalis; EXENET; Inflow, Inc.; SBC Communications, Inc.; Sprint; Ubizen; Unisys; Veritect; and XO Communications.
The following providers have expanded their existing Cisco-based security and VPN offerings: Counterpane Internet Security, Inc.; Exodus Communications, Inc.; NetSolve; and Riptech, Inc.
Each of these companies represents at least one of the major managed service types including managed firewall, managed Intrusion Detection System (IDS), remote access and site-to-site VPN services.
Also being announced today is the extension of the Cisco Powered Network Managed Security Services (CPN-MSS) designation for CPE-based remote access and site-to-site VPN solution providers. This extension reinforces the growing business and market need for industry-leading outsourced security and VPN solutions.
"Our research shows increasing demand for managed VPN and security services across all types of organizations, said Jeff Wilson, executive director, Infonetics Research, Inc. "Cisco's Managed Security Services Initiative enables providers to deliver managed solutions to many types of customers using their broad VPN and security product portfolio."
Significant Benefits for Customers Outsourcing Security and VPN Services
Businesses deploying security and VPN services through a Cisco-preferred managed security service provider (MSSP) can compete in the Internet economy by securely scaling their e-Business initiatives. Cisco-preferred MSSP customers utilize industry-leading firewall, IDS, and VPN solutions that are part of the SAFE blueprint, a flexible, dynamic blueprint for security and VPN networks, based on Cisco AVVID -- the Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data. By outsourcing one or more of these mission critical security services, businesses can reduce their overall infrastructure investment and focus their IT resources on areas that fit existing skill sets.
Managed Security Services Initiative
Introduced this past spring, the Cisco Managed Security Services Initiative is comprised of programs designed to guide customers to qualified, best-in-class service providers for outsourced firewall, intrusion detection system (IDS), remote access and site-to-site VPN services. Included as part of this initiative is the Cisco Powered Network Managed Security Services (CPN-MSS) designation, recognizing key infrastructure providers offering managed security services based on Cisco's market-leading security and VPN products. Also part of this initiative are AVVID Partner Program security services members, delivering managed Cisco-based security and VPN services.
"Cisco is committed to providing customers with a wide array of choices to meet today's business security and VPN needs," said Dan Hession, director of marketing in Cisco's Internet Switching and Services Technology Group. "Partnering with industry-leading managed service providers to offer customers Cisco-based comprehensive security and VPN solutions demonstrates this commitment."
More Information
To find more information on the Cisco Managed Security Services Initiative, please visit http://www.cisco.com/go/managedsecurity. For more information about the Cisco Powered Network, Managed Security Services Designation visit http://www.cisco.com/go/cpn. For the Cisco AVVID Partner Program visit http://www.cisco.com/go/securityservices.
