For a growing number of customers, the best solution to the problem of network security is handing it off to someone else.
That’s why managed security services are among the fastest-growing service offerings today. Customers are embracing them because the services free them from many security headaches, while at the same time reducing the strain on staff resources and investment in new equipment and software. Service providers love the services because they offer a new way to glean revenue and profits from the enterprise customers that are normally bashing them over the heads for rate cuts on voice and data products.
If you’re considering outsourcing security to a service provider, then you won’t want to miss the special session Network World will be hosting at the ComNet Summit in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 30. Our Managed Security Service Provider Showdown will bring together four leading security service providers in a presidential-style debate on technology, pricing, support, geographic reach – in short, all the key elements you’ll need to examine in choosing a managed security service provider.
I’ll be hosting this Showdown along with Forrester Research Analyst Paul Stamp, one of the leading experts in this marketplace. Stamp and I have selected companies that represent very different approaches to providing managed security services so attendees can get a better understanding of the range of solutions available.
We initially invited MCI, Symantec, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Counterpane Internet Security to take part in the debate. MCI and Counterpane quickly signed on and we’re awaiting confirmation from EDS. Symantec, on the other hand, turned us down flat with no clear explanation of why it won’t stand up with the other companies. So we invited Internet Security Systems to take Symantec’s place and ISS grabbed the opportunity.
We’ll ask the vendors questions about their offerings, and then we’ll let these companies ask each other questions. The goal is to quickly drill down to the differences between companies to help buyers make better-informed decisions.
By hearing how these company executives answer questions about the security problems they handle, how they price and deliver services, and where they’re headed for the future, you’ll learn which company and philosophy is right for you.
Join us at this Showdown and let me know in advance which questions you’d like us to ask our debaters.
