Verizon Business to Help Federal Agencies Manage Security Risk, Insider Threats

Company Adds New Capabilities to Its Already Robust Portfolio of Security Solutions

ASHBURN, Va. – Federal agencies now have more tools from Verizon Business to manage network access, protect critical assets, help prevent insider security threats, and help the agencies comply with federal security regulations.

Verizon Business announced Monday (Aug. 10) that it is offering Symark PowerSeries security access-management software and applications, integrating those security capabilities for UNIX/Linux servers and systems into the company’s already robust portfolio of security solutions for government customers. These new services - immediately available under the U.S. General Services Administration’s Connections contract - will help federal agencies comply with access control and accountability requirements associated with new stricter Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) regulations.

The addition of the Symark offering complements and extends Verizon Business’ robust Identification and Authentication (PKI/Certificates) and Identity Access Management portfolio by enabling organizations to better control access to critical IT systems and information across diverse IT environments using UNIX and Linux data centers and operating systems.

Products available to government customers include:

* PowerBroker - Symark’s flagship product for authorization and access control within heterogeneous UNIX/Linux data centers. It protects the root or “superuser” account from internal exploitation by rogue employees or hackers.

* PowerKeeper - a secure appliance with a sealed operating system that dynamically creates, resets and stores passwords to privileged accounts that are used to maintain and protect various devices within the network, such as routers, firewalls, servers and databases. PowerKeeper uses recognized best practices in security technology to address and resolve the potential security problems that come from the abuse of privileged access.

* PowerPassword - securely deploys and manages user accounts, passwords and login policies across heterogeneous UNIX/Linux environments while keeping a centralized audit trail of all related activities.

* PowerADvantage - an integrated authentication and configuration solution that extends Active Directory’s centralized authentication, authorization, account access, policy enforcement and infrastructure management functionality to UNIX and Linux systems, creating a single sign-on environment to Windows, UNIX and Linux servers.

“Because of the sensitive and confidential nature of government work, federal agencies have a unique set of security requirements,” said Susan Zeleniak, group president, Verizon Federal, the organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving the federal government. “Verizon Business, through its acquisition of Cybertrust and its Identity Management solution, acquired a strong capability to help its customers efficiently manage user identities across multiple systems and applications. Adding Symark’s PowerSeries solutions enables Verizon Business to even more comprehensively help agencies manage user activities and address insider threats.”

John Mutch, CEO of Symark International, said: “Federal agencies need to safeguard their sensitive data by managing access to information. Because of our relationship with Verizon Business, federal agencies have access to an even more comprehensive portfolio of security products and services from a single source. This portfolio of products and services can significantly enhance the ability of federal agencies to secure their IT systems and protect critical data from misuse.”

Verizon Business is a leader in providing security services to governments around the world and is the largest provider of communications services to the U.S. government. The company offers local-to-global networking and information technology solutions coupled with a broad range of telecommunications products and services - including advanced Internet protocol (IP) services, collaboration services, professional services, managed network services and systems integration - to all levels of government. With this broad portfolio of services, Verizon Business can provide federal agencies with one-stop shopping for their communications and IT needs and help transform the way government customers - and their constituents - do business.

About Symark International
Symark International is the leading provider of privileged identity and access management solutions for heterogeneous IT environments. Symark PowerBroker® enables granular delegation of administrative privileges while restricting UNIX/Linux root account access. Symark PowerPassword® provides UNIX/Linux user account management along with login and password security policies. Symark PowerKeeper® controls access to shared administrative accounts for servers, applications, and network devices for multiple platforms. Symark PowerADvantage® extends Microsoft® Active Directory’s centralized authentication, authorization, account access, policy enforcement and infrastructure management functionality to UNIX and Linux systems. All products offer a non-intrusive architecture, central administration, accountability at the systems level and detailed audit logs. Symark offers extensive expertise in enterprise computing security, and its products are backed by unmatched technical support. For more information, visit us at www.symark.com.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world’s most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today’s extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world’s largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.