Leading Cyber Security Firms Form Non-Profit Group for Public
Policy Advocacy, Education Paul Kurtz, Former Special Assistant to
the President, Named Executive Director RSA(R) CONFERENCE 2004, SAN
FRANCISCO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cyber Security Industry
Alliance (CSIA) was launched today at the RSA(R) Conference 2004 by
a group of 12 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 wasalso 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,
theCSIA 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; Qualys, Inc.; RSA Security Inc.; Secure Computing
Corporation; and Symantec Corporation. The CSIA's Boardof 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. More information about membership can be
found at http://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; Qualys, Inc.; RSA Security Inc.,
(NASDAQ:RSAS); Secure Computing Corporation (NASDAQ:SCUR) and
Symantec Corporation, (NASDAQ:SYMC). For more information about the
CSIA, please visit http://www.csialliance.org/ or call
+1-781-876-8998. SUPPORTING COMMENTS FROM CYBER SECURITY INDUSTRY
ALLIANCE MEMBERS "Cyber crime continues to punch holes in the
worldwide IT ecosystem, inflicting business loss and disruption,
personal identity theft and malicious mayhem on its victims," said
BindView President and Chief Executive Officer Eric J. Pulaski.
"BindView is resolute in its commitment to thwart cyber crime and
is proudly working with CSIA member companies to set IT security
and compliance standards that enable the public and private sectors
to harden their IT systems against internal and external cyber
attacks." To arrange an interview with a BindView spokesperson,
contact: Yvonne Donaldson, (713) 503-5623, "The CSIA marks a
significant milestone in the evolution of Internet security and
gives a much needed voice on security issues faced by both the
public and private sectors," said Jerry Ungerman, President of
Check Point Software Technologies. "By joining the Cyber Security
Industry Alliance, Check Point will help to drive efforts to
address key cyber security issues, standards and compliance." To
arrange an interview with a Check Point spokesperson, contact:
Molly Ford, (650) 743-8503, "As the sophistication of cyber-threats
continues to grow, so must the defense of our nation's
infrastructure," said Russell M. Artzt, executive vice president of
eTrust solutions at Computer Associates International, Inc. "The
CSIA will play an important role in ensuring that the public and
private sectors work closely to achieve this sophistication with
respect to both technology and functional coordination." To arrange
an interview with a Computer Associates spokesperson, contact: Tim
Whitman, (631) 553-3047, "Of the many disparate groups dealing with
IT security, none has cyber security as its only mission," said
Bill Conner, president, chairman and CEO, Entrust, Inc. "By
providing a laser-like focus on cyber security, the CSIA can play a
vital role in protecting our homeland and paving the way for e-
commerce. We are pleased to join the CSIA as a founding member." To
arrange an interview withan Entrust spokesperson, contact: Carrie
Bendzsa, (613) 864-2127, "As a pioneer and trusted provider of
security products and services since 1994, we are dedicated to
supporting a public policy dialogue for cyber security through
federal appointments, testimonies, memberships and associations,"
said Tom Noonan, Chairman, President and CEO of Internet Security
Systems. "It is important for ISS to continue to help lead that
dialogue, and we are hopeful that the formation of the CSIA and our
involvement will increase the focus on public policy issues and
actions to protect our nation's critical infrastructure." To
arrange an interview with an ISS spokesperson, contact: Adam Paige,
(646) 391-6659, "NetScreen is pleased to be a founding member of
the CSIA, as a leading security solution provider that helps some
of the world's largest enterprises and service providers protect
their networks," said Robert Thomas, president and CEO of NetScreen
Technologies, Inc. "Collectively, NetScreen and the other CSIA
members can play a critical role in driving awareness of and
solutions to critical security issues that customers cannot find
from other companies or industry organizations." To arrange an
interview with a NetScreen spokesperson, contact: Jennifer
Jennings, (408) 543-8243, "As a leader in the security industry,
Network Associates has been a long- time advocate for the
enhancement of cyber-security initiatives, and as a founding member
of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, we look forward to
partnering our efforts to push forth the necessary public policy,
education and awareness to combat cyber-security issues," said
George Samenuk, chairman and chief executive officer of Network
Associates. "The proliferation of security threats requires a
unified and collaborative effort between industry and government to
generate technology and regulatory solutions that will ultimately
benefit customers around the world." To arrange an interview with a
Network Associates spokesperson, contact:Dana Lengkeek, (415)
994-4008, "We are pleased to participate in the founding of CSIA,
as industry leaders build a framework for pervasive information
security," said Phillip Dunkelberger, President and CEO of PGP
Corporation. "Today we join an important initiative to raise
worldwide awareness, greatly reduce risks, and build a future of
interoperable security solutions." To arrange an interview with a
PGP spokesperson, contact: Lori Curtis, (970) 887-0044, "Over the
last year, we have seen a significant shift in the security
industry. Once a technology and IT concern, security has now become
a business enabler and a national issue, and our actions as an
industry must address these needs," said Philippe Courtot, Chairman
and CEO of Qualys, Inc. "Qualys is dedicated to ensuring action and
cooperation in the industry to better secure companies around the
world, and we believe the CSIA will provide an effective avenue to
accomplish these goals." To arrange an interview with a Qualys
spokesperson, contact: Megan Lamb, (703) 926-5292, "It is important
to come together as an industry to elevate the security issue to
the board level and move beyond dialogue to concrete actions," said
Art Coviello, president and CEO at RSA Security. "The CSIA can help
improve security through more effective security standards and best
practices, to provide tools that businesses and government agencies
can use to both assess and reduce risks, and help consumers take
basic steps to protect themselves from cyber threats. RSA Security
is confident that the CSIA will be able to advance these goals and
we are pleased to be a part of this effort." To arrange an
interview with an RSA Security spokesperson, contact: Tim Powers,
(781) 515-6212, "Recent events such as the MyDoom worm have
demonstrated there is a pressing need for information security
industry standards and user education," said John McNulty, chairman
and CEO of Secure Computing. "The ever increasing threats and cost
of disruptions make it incumbent upon the major players in the
information security industry to provide leadership in setting
standards and working to educate the public. Secure Computing is
proud to be a founding member of the CSIA." To arrange an interview
with a Secure Computing spokesperson, contact: David Burt, (206)
683-9508, "The formation of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance
underscores how serious the issue of Internet security has become
for all segments of society. Over the last six months, cyber
attacks such as SoBig, Welchia, Blaster, Beagle and MyDoom have
inflicted untold billions of dollars in damage to the world's
economy," said John Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer
of Symantec Corporation. "Through the Alliance, Symantec looks
forwardto working with our industry colleagues to create a more
secure Internet in the digitally connected world that all of us
live and work in today." To arrange an interview with a Symantec
spokesperson, contact: Cris Paden, (408) 517-8547, FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION: Judith Vanderkay Cyber Security Industry Alliance
+1-781-876-6208 DATASOURCE: Cyber Security Industry Alliance
CONTACT: Judith Vanderkay of Cyber Security Industry Alliance,
+1-781-876-6208, Web site: http://www.csialliance.org/
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