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Gulf network security market set for two-fold growth

"With most major corporations and government agenecies in the region now giving top priority to reliable network security services, the market here is on an upswing. We expect the market is nearly double to $500 million from the current $250-280 million in two years," said Moustapha Sarhank, president of ISS Middle East (ISSME) operations, said. The global network security industry is to grow some 50 per cent - from $4 billion to $6 billion - by 2005.

He said the aggressive regional thrust by ISS is to ward off the growing competition posed by small security companies entering the arena. "These small players are not only weaning away our business but also creating a credibility crisis in the network security industry. Our strategy is, therefore, not to leave this market unattended," he said.

The other two offices to be opened are in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. "Our strategy is to set up independent operational bases in all AGCC countries. At present the $300 million ISS, headquartered in Atlanta, has a regional office in Cairo.

"Internet Security Systems Middle East is committed to the region and very focused to making it more secure while ensuring that our regional information assets are sheltered against tampering and protected against hackers' attacks," he said.

Recognising the rapidly developing market for managed security services worldwide, ISSME also announced the launch of its Managed Security Services through its European Security Operations Center (SOC) for the Middle East market. The SOC provides customers with direct access to local ISS security experts as well as keep customer data residing within their respective countries and locations to satisfy local/regional data privacy laws. The SOC has the capacity to manage more than 2,000 individual devices such as firewalls or intrusion detection systems.

He said these managed security services provide customers with a comprehensive solution for remote security management and round-the-clock network protection. "Designed for businesses that need security but may not have the time, internal resources or expertise to effectively protect networked systems and data, ISS managed security services enable customers to focus on their core business while trusting their security to experts who conduct 24x7 security monitoring and management of their networks from technically advanced SOCs.

Another service unveiled yesterday was the X-Force Professional Services to assist enterprises and government agencies in protecting their critical infrastructures. "Now offered through ISSME, these services combine best-of-breed technology, market leading intellectual capital and experienced security professionals to help organisations in the region plan and implement sound security management solutions," he said.