Global Crossing Ups Ante On Network Security

What’s a major expense for organizations that nobody wants to talk about? Security breaches. It seems like every few days there’s another big splash in the news about user accounts and credit card numbers being compromised. There’s the direct cost of having to make up for losses, but there’s the larger cost of concerned customers abandoning or avoiding the company out of fear they’ll be the next victims.

These are the security horror stories we hear about. What generally isn’t reported is the espionage and theft of intellectual property that goes on behind the scenes. Your competitive advantage can be neutralized in minutes when key trade secrets and client lists are downloaded by unethical competitors and professional thieves.

Most companies are more attuned to network security than ever before. But is it enough? Judging from breaking news stories and industry buzz, not hardly. This is why Global Crossing is expanding its portfolio of security solutions for enterprise customers.

Global Crossing is well known as a leading worldwide IP network provider serving 40% of the Fortune 500 and hundreds of carriers, mobile operators and Internet service providers. They have the resources and the reach to deal with threats on an international basis. They also have the need, as their customers are prime targets for nefarious activities.

Global Crossings expanded suite of network security measures now includes a new SIEM or Security Information and Event Management platform. This resides in the Global Crossing Security Operations Center (SOC) where a team of security professionals, analysts and engineers monitor and assess network security issues on a full time basis. The reports and analysis are delivered to the proprietary uCommand portal for each customer.

The suite of security features includes a firewall, intrusion prevention service, web content filtering, antivirus and antispam appliance provided by Fortinet. This is augmented by additional professional services that include security policy review and creation, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, incident response and security assessment and audit.

This is a multi-pronged approach that starts with evaluation and design of policies, procedures and technical measures, continuously monitors for threats, automatically thwarts them in progress and reports the attacks, plus jumps into action to deal with new issues as they arise.

The challenge of network security is that it is a rapidly evolving field with highly motivated and increasingly sophisticated perpetrators pitted against equally motivated security professionals. The more valuable your assets and the more your company depends on network connections and an online presence, the greater the threat to your operations.

Are you feeling the need for improved network security? If you are beyond what out of the box antivirus programs can do for you, a managed security solution may be your most cost effective option. Whether you have a small retail store or a Fortune 500 corporation to secure, get pricing and features of managed network security options new. You’ll likely sleep a lot easier knowing that someone in the security center is watching out for your interests.

Undercover Laptop Sleeve Computer Cloaking Device

In the annals of computer security there is a product destined to become legend. It is not a network appliance, anti-virus software or spam filter. It requires no power to do its job. There’s nothing to configure and no maintenance cost. It is, perhaps, a masterpiece of physical security. It works its magic while cleverly disguised as... a dirty old bag.

Such is the Undercover Laptop Sleeve. It’s a product offered by a UK company called Lazybone, which describes its offerings as “freaky, uniquey, gadgetry geekery.” Where high technology fails, gadgetry geekery offers an alternative solution.

The beauty of the Undercover Laptop Sleeve is its ugliness. What looks to a potential gadget snatcher as a disgusting old mailing envelope is actually the hiding spot for your MacBook, Dell, Compaq or other high value laptop computer. Even beyond the cost of replacement, how much damage can a thief do when they get your bank records and every other detail of your personal life stored indiscreetly on an unencrypted hard drive?

If you have the proper attitude of security paranoia, your laptop is password protected with encrypted files. You also carry a Kensington Lock with a cable that’s always wrapped around a radiator pipe or strung through the back of a chair to deter any quick grabs. But if you are like the other 99% of us, you probably leave the machine sitting there bringing in email while you make a sprint for the public potty. Many a geek has been victimized by his or her inability to hold their Mountain Dew.

Don’t leave that precious PC out there in public view as temptation to moral weaklings. Slip it into the Undercover Laptop Sleeve and close the flap. Who is going to reach for that disgustingly germified looking brown envelope full of dirt-smudged mailing labels? It must have been through the mail. It’s got stamps on it!

To make the cloaking effect more robust, make sure nobody actually sees you slipping your computer into the sleeve. Even dumb criminals are smarter than that. You’ve got to sneak it in and maybe even sit a few other papers on top of it. That’s especially true if the sleeve is going to be visibly unguarded on a restaurant table or sitting on the backseat of your car, two things that you probably shouldn’t be doing to tempt fate with or without a dirty old computer hiding bag. Think of it more as a security enhancer.

The Undercover Laptop Sleeve comes in two sizes, 8 - 13 inches and 13 - 17 inches. It’s made of a material that is waterproof, tear-proof and can be written on. It’s also nicely padded for extra computer protection. Just don’t write something like “Don’t look in here. No computer inside” on your sleeve. Not only will it attract thieves like bears to honey, but they’ll also know that they can steal your car because you always leave the keys in the ignition where you won’t “lose” them.