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Prestigious Security Certification Program From Verizon Business Marks 10-Year Anniversary


WEBWIRE

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business’ Security Management Program is marking its 10-year anniversary, having reviewed the information security measures of more than 1,000 businesses and government agencies around the world.

A growing number of companies, particularly those with global operations, are using the program’s certification as a competitive advantage and as proof that information security is a top priority for these companies.

[NOTE: An audio podcast discussing the 10-year anniversary of the Security Management Program and the value it provides customers is available at http://www.podtech.net/home/3849/prestigious-security-seal-of-approval-turns-10.]

The Security Management Program (SMP), now part of the Verizon Business Security Solutions group as a result of the company’s July 1 acquisition of Cybertrust, is aimed at helping companies reduce risk through a synergistic approach to security. The program addresses a broad range of enterprise information security needs from network and system analysis to security policy inspection.

The SMP is also extremely rigorous. Of the 1,000 businesses and government agencies whose information security measures were reviewed, about half received the coveted Cybertrust Certification, which must be renewed annually. Currently, more than 300 organizations with operations in 32 countries are certified.

“Job No. 1 is to help customers protect their critical corporate assets so their businesses operate smoothly,” said Kerry Bailey, vice president of Verizon Business Security Solutions. "Through our Security Management Program, Verizon Business gives businesses an edge in achieving their business objectives by helping secure their operations -- whether it’s their systems or their applications.

“No business today is safe without taking the necessary proactive measures. And now, more than ever, with security breaches increasing each year, businesses cannot afford to operate without proper protection. Too much is at risk,” Bailey said.

One customer benefiting from the program is Experian, a global leader in helping consumers and businesses manage the risks and rewards associated with their financial decisions.

“The very nature of our business is to handle sensitive, confidential information,” said Ron Cook, vice president of IT for Experian. "Our customers put their trust in us to do exactly that. Over the years, we’ve relied on the Cybertrust Security Management Program as our trusted third party to validate Experian’s security program and infrastructure and protect our customers’ confidential personal and business information.

“We have found SMP’s rigorous processes to serve us and our customers well. With our participation in the program, we are confident that our data and that of our customers are secure,” Cook said.

The SMP works by identifying assets, assessing and prioritizing threats and vulnerabilities, and securing those assets with enterprisewide controls and mitigation strategies. This process helps business and government agencies to improve their overall security posture.

Additionally, the SMP can help businesses align information security policies and practices with the security components of many regulations and directives, including Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and ISO 27001 and ISO 17799.

Organizations have the option of earning enterprise, perimeter or application certifications, depending on their needs. SMP certifications provide assurance that an organization’s information security controls, policies and procedures have been examined, measured and validated by an industry leader against a stringent set of information security standards.

“This certification enables businesses to transform security from a need-to-have into a true competitive differentiator and demonstrates to competitors, customers and partners alike that an organization is built on sound business practices with the ability to maintain data integrity,” added Bailey.



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