VoIP security made easy...

Looks like NextiraOne announced a new information security practice to specialize in VoIP and IP telephony security. I'm glad someone finally figured out that was a dangerous can of worms causing massive drool to hang from the mouths of hackers everywhere... hope they're successful with it!

http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-11-2005/0003595391&EDATE=

NextiraOne Becomes the Guardian of Converged Networks

New Information Security Practice to Provide Security Services for Mission Critical IP Telephony Networks

HOUSTON – May 11, 2005 – For companies wanting to deploy IP telephony, security is no longer a big question mark – especially for financial institutions, hospitals and other mission critical organizations, where downtime is not an option. With extensive expertise in both voice and converged enterprise network environments and a reputation as a highly skilled enterprise communications solutions provider, NextiraOne, a Platinum Equity Company, today announced the introduction of its IP telephony information security practice. This development is a logical next step for NextiraOne in helping its large base of PBX clients manage and prepare for the eventual migration to IP communications platforms.

“Companies have come to expect their voice systems to work and be protected all the time, and when they convert from traditional PBX systems to IP networks, that expectation doesn’t go away,” said NextiraOne CEO Dale Booth. “Most IT departments are not staffed or equipped to adequately secure their converged networks. Our clients needed an experienced and reliable ally to secure their converged networks and we are filling that void with our new security offerings.”

NextiraOne will roll out the information security practice over the next few months and work with leading players to offer a suite of services designed to help clients plan for and manage the security of their communications networks. The practice will address end-to-end security needs for converged networks through education, consulting and managed security services. The initial launch will include two distinct security education courses targeted at key technology stakeholders within the client organization. The first offering is designed to prepare clients for CISSPÒ (Certified Information System Security Professional) certification. This service is being offered in affiliation with the (ISC)2 (International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.) This level of certification represents the gold standard in the information security field. This certification process helps clients gain knowledge and understanding in all critical security domains such as applications and systems development security as well as business continuity and disaster recovery planning. The second offering is a Voice over IP (VoIP) security education seminar designed to help clients implement proper security measures in a VoIP environment.

Future service offerings will be centered on security planning and design, vulnerability assessment and management, and compliance testing. NextiraOne will offer a host of managed and professional services to meet the growing security needs and support of converged network clients. Specific security consulting and managed services will be announced in the coming months.

“Traditional network security may be effective in protecting traditional data networks, but adding IP telephony introduces a new layer of concerns for an information security team,” adds Booth. “Our new offerings will help our clients secure their converged networks to make them as reliable as the traditional PBX systems they replace.”

With more than 40,000 client sites installed and over half of the Fortune 50 companies as clients, NextiraOne has a rich history and strong base of experience in the telephony marketplace.

About NextiraOne
NextiraOne North America is a leading provider of integrated enterprise network, IP telephony, voice and data solutions and services that enable effective business communications. Built on a foundation of telecommunications industry experience dating back to the 1970s, the company’s expertise ranges from planning to the implementation, support and management of traditional, IP and converged voice and data communications networks. NextiraOne also provides solutions featuring best-in-class technologies from leading manufacturers and vendors. The company offers consultation and solutions development ranging from contact center applications to unified messaging and IP telephony. NextiraOne also provides the professional services, including information security services, required to make these applications and networks efficient, reliable and secure. The NextiraOne companies enjoy a rich history that has been woven from the fabric of Williams Communications Solutions, Milgo Solutions, Racal-Datacom, Timeplex and Executone. For more information, please visit www.NextiraOne.com.

NextiraOne is owned by Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com), a global acquisition firm specializing in the strategic operation of mission-critical services and solutions businesses according to a unique M&A&OSM model of value creation.

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