Leading Cyber Security Firms Form Non-Profit Group for ...

RSA® CONFERENCE 2004, SAN FRANCISCO - Feb. 25, 2004 - The Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) was launched today at the RSA® Conference 2004 by a group of 11 innovative security software, hardware and service vendors. The CSIA is a non-profit corporate-membership organization, whose mission is to improve cyber security through public policy initiatives, public sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic programs, alignment behind emerging industry technology standards and public education.

The CSIA also announced the appointment of Paul Kurtz as its executive director. Most recently, Kurtz served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection on the White House´s Homeland Security Council (HSC). He was responsible for developing the White House´s strategy and policy for protecting the nation´s critical infrastructure.

Prior to joining the HSC in 2003, Kurtz served on the White House´s National Security Council (NSC) as Senior Director for National Security of the Office of Cyberspace Security. He was also a member of the President´s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, where he developed the President´s National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.

˝Cyber security now serves as the linchpin of success in meeting both our homeland and economic security objectives,˝ said Kurtz. ˝Security will enable the IT revolution to reach its full potential. As a result, a unified industry voice is needed to assist consumers, enterprises and governments to meet the security challenges of today´s digital world. The CSIA looks forward to working in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sector to address the various implications associated with securing cyberspace.˝

Comprised exclusively of information technology security companies, the CSIA is uniquely positioned to benefit consumers, governments and a cross-section of industries by leveraging its members´ shared expertise and resources.

Founding members include BindView Corp.; Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; Computer Associates International, Inc.; Entrust, Inc.; Internet Security Systems Inc.; NetScreen Technologies, Inc.; Network Associates, Inc.; PGP Corporation; RSA Security Inc.; Secure Computing Corporation; and Symantec Corporation. The CSIA´s Board of Directors is composed of the CEOs of these companies.

The CSIA will take up the challenge laid down by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at the National Cyber Security Summit held Dec. 3, 2003 in Santa Clara, Calif., where Ridge noted that the federal government cannot succeed on its own. ˝Eighty-five percent of our nation´s critical infrastructure, including the cyber network that controls it, is owned and operated by the private sector. As such, we not only need businesses to be active partners with us in securing these vital assets, we need businesses...to lead the way.˝

The CSIA will carry out its work via focused member-driven committees: Public Policy, Education and Alliances, Awareness, and Standards. CSIA members are working to finalize their initial agendas, which will likely include initiatives in the following areas:

Coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to improve information-sharing between business and government on cyber-threats;
Improving corporate governance of information security;
Improving Federal procurement practices and guidelines;
Identifying gaps in cyber security R&D;
Collaborating with U.S. and international standards development organizations to support emerging technology standards and specifications that will serve to enhance cyber security;
Supporting existing campaigns to improve awareness of cyber security, including the National Cyber Security Alliance;
Supporting academic programs such as the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and building workforce development programs;
Pursuing U.S. Senate ratification of the Council of Europe´s Convention on Cyber-Crime.

The CSIA has two levels of membership, Charter and Principal, which are limited to companies with a substantial focus on providing cyber security solutions. Companies interested in membership must be vetted and approved by the CSIA Board of Directors. More information about membership can be found at www.csialliance.org.

About the CSIA
Launched in February 2004 by a group of cyber security software, hardware and services companies, the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) is an advocacy group whose mission is to enhance cyber security through public policy initiatives, public sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic programs, alignment behind emerging industry technology standards and public education.

Founding members of the CSIA include BindView Corp., (NASDAQ: BVEW); Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., (NASDAQ: CHKP); Computer Associates International, Inc., (NYSE: CA); Entrust, Inc., (NASDAQ: ENTU); Internet Security Systems Inc., (NASDAQ: ISSX); NetScreen Technologies, Inc., (NASDAQ: NSCN); Network Associates, Inc., (NYSE: NET); PGP Corporation; RSA Security Inc., (NASDAQ: RSAS); Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ: SCUR) and Symantec Corporation, (NASDAQ: SYMC). For more information about the CSIA, please visit www.csialliance.org or call +1-781-876-8998.

About Symantec
Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec´s Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.

Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of Symantec Corporation. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

Source: Symantec Corporation
www.symantec.com

2004-03-01 00:40

Back

IT News: