AT&T Government Solutions Wins $350 Million Task Order From the U.S. Department of Agriculture
July 22, 2010
AT&T Will Provide Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Managed Security Services Under U.S. General Services Administration Networx Universal Program
OAKTON, Va., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T Government Solutions* business unit announced it has won a task order worth up to $350 million to provide Managed Security Services and deploy a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Data Services.
The task order was awarded under the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Networx Universal contract vehicle. Under the terms of the task order, AT&T will utilize its transition planning and network management capabilities to complete a Department-wide managed IP network architecture that enables shared services across a new, unified infrastructure. AT&T will provide data services to over 5,000 USDA locations across the country.
The USDA has a geographically dispersed network, encompassing over 29 agencies and offices with a diverse set of objectives. The Cabinet-level agency is charged with serving our nation’s farmers, conserving natural resources, protecting the food supply, and serving millions of constituents who rely on the agency’s services.
“A growing demand to provide information in a secure fashion and on a global scale are key challenges that many federal agencies face today and tomorrow,” said Christopher L. Smith, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture. “USDA Data Services is not only designed to meet these challenges via the deployment of a corporate data network, but also through close collaboration between USDA and its agencies. USDA will use the Networx program to transform our operations through new technologies so we can provide our customers with more advanced network services while also meeting the needs of our citizens.”
“The migration to a VPN architecture for USDA is not only a significant evolution of their network but an example of how the agency has been able to successfully execute its network vision,” said Jeff Mohan, Executive Director, Networx Program Office, AT&T Government Solutions. “Given our long-standing network engagement with USDA, and AT&T’s expertise in providing cybersecurity solutions to the federal government, AT&T can help the agency achieve the next-generation of its network so it can provide additional capabilities to not only its workforce but the citizens it serves in a highly secure manner.”
The foundation for the AT&T Data Services VPN solution is the state-of-the-art AT&T Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)-enabled network, a fully managed, highly secure, scalable data network, which enables customers to incorporate leading edge applications on the network. This powerful foundation provides the secure, reliable VPN network best suited to support USDA needs for an IP-converged network connecting USDA’s sites nationwide.
As a recognized leader in network security, AT&T will also provide Managed Security services for USDA such as Managed Firewall, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Managed e-Authentication Service, Vulnerability Scanning, Anti-Virus Management, Incident Response, Secure Managed e-mail, and Managed Tiered Security Services.
“USDA needs an approach to security that not only safeguards their data and other assets, but also identifies and stops cyber threats before they reach their network perimeter,” said Ed Amoroso, Chief Security Officer and Senior Vice President, AT&T Services, Inc. “AT&T’s cloud-based approach, coupled with our industry-leading Managed Security Services, provides USDA with a highly advanced cyber security solution ready to respond to the ever-changing threat environment.”
With the new architecture, the USDA will improve its ability to securely share information between its many nationwide offices and stakeholders, including businesses, state and local government partners, and public citizens.
AT&T, the incumbent data carrier for USDA, has been engaged with the Cabinet-level agency for several years. AT&T has deployed sites for the USDA Universal Telecommunications Network (UTN) VPN under the Federal Telecommunications Service 2001 (FTS2001) Crossover contract.
The USDA task order has a one-year base with six one-year options.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
Trend Micro Launches a Hybrid SaaS Email Security Solution Uniting In-The-Cloud Protection With On-Premise VMware® Ready Virtual Appliance
June 26, 2010
CUPERTINO, Calif., June 21 /PRNewswire/ — Trend Micro announced today the latest major version of InterScan™ Messaging Security Virtual Appliance (IMSVA), newly built as a unique hybrid SaaS email security solution that integrates in-the-cloud protection and SaaS security services with an on-premise virtual appliance so email threats are stopped closest to their source without compromising email privacy while achieving significant management overhead, network bandwidth and data-center consolidation cost savings.
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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100621/NY23230)
“With 90 percent of all email being spam, it’s no wonder companies are struggling to keep up with the increasing volume of emails overloading their networks,” said Steve Quane, Chief Product Officer, Trend Micro. “Our next-generation IMSVA unifies the ‘best of both worlds’: As one part SaaS offering, it does all the heavy lifting of blocking spam outside of the enterprise’s network and reducing email volumes up to 90 percent so that less bandwidth, servers and staff are required; as another part on-premise VMware Ready virtual appliance, it allows companies to customize to best meet their enterprise needs while retaining control and privacy over their emails, especially protecting sensitive data from leaving the network.”
IMSVA 8.0 is built as a hybrid offering to optimize the benefits of cloud security and virtual appliances, integrated into one solution. It builds upon Trend Micro’s extensive investment and expertise in SaaS and hosted security, as well as the company’s leadership status within reputation technologies. Since 2005, Trend Micro been pioneering IP-filtering and IP-reputation technologies.
This hybrid SaaS email security provides up-to-the-minute security powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network infrastructure that scans, filters and correlates more than 20 billion emails, Web sites and files every day, and then leverages that data to rapidly identify and respond to emerging threats, and improve the existing response to known threats.
What’s NEW?
- Purpose-built as a hybrid, combining inbound in-the-cloud protection (so email threats are stopped before they hit the network) with on-premise VMware Ready virtual appliance to allow outbound granular content control and customization, and integrated with a unified single management/reporting console.
- Purpose-built to reduce up to 90 percent of email traffic in the cloud so that spam is eliminated before they reach the network. Customers get maximum, real-time protection against email threats without the burden of scanning a high volume of emails on their systems. No email is stored in the Trend Micro cloud and all quarantines are held locally, enabling customers to maintain control and privacy over their emails.
- Newly added Web Reputation technology scans URLs embedded in emails to determine if a link will lead to a malicious Web site that hides malware. Web reputation, a component of the Smart Protection Network, tracks the credibility of Web domains by examining factors such as a Web site’s age, historical location changes, and indication of suspicious activities discovered through malware behavior analysis.
Supporting quotes
“We chose Trend Micro’s messaging security solutions for their simplicity and efficiency. But with such a tremendous growth in spam, we’ve been considering a hosted email security solution to put on top of what we currently have,” said Michael Draeger, Field Support, IT, Silgan Containers, Inc. “This is why we’re intrigued by Trend Micro’s new and innovative hybrid SaaS email security – the ability to deploy an integrated hybrid solution from one vendor would definitely save us IT administrative time, help us reduce costs and keep spam off our networks.”
“According to Osterman Research, enterprises can save between 55 to 70 percent by moving from a homebrewed to an integrated hybrid email security solution,” said Michael Osterman, president and founder of Osterman Research. “In addition, those organizations that have yet to move to hosted/hybrid solution can save 30 to 40 percent by moving from a traditional on-premises hardware appliance to an integrated hybrid solution from Trend Micro”.
“Partnering with Trend Micro, a company synonymous with technology excellence and innovation, helps us provide a one-stop shop for business IT solutions,” said Dave Ladley, president of Communications Finance, Inc. “We believe Trend Micro’s latest hybrid SaaS email security solution will provide our customers with an even better, more effective way of protecting their email networks. This exciting new solution brings together the benefits of hosted email with virtual appliance for efficient email security.”
“The single most significant finding of the [Infonetics] survey was simply this: nearly half of respondents, a random sample of large e-mail environments, had pulled together a “do-it-yourself” hybrid on-premise/hosted solution,” said Jeff Wilson, principal analyst, network security, Infonetics Research. “So far, Trend Micro is the only security company that offers this kind of hybrid integration designed to reduce the bulk of unwanted email, while at the same time retaining customization capabilities, control and privacy all in one product.”
Supporting materials
- Commissioned by Trend Micro, Infonetics Research conducted a survey of 150 enterprise email administrators with at least 1,000 users in their email environments and discovered some compelling reasons why the hybrid approach is becoming so widespread. Read the full report here. .
- Trend Micro’s Chief Product Officer, Steve Quane, introduces the latest hybrid SaaS email security and explains why Trend Micro is changing the way enterprises are fighting spam. Watch the video here.
- Learn how the hybrid SaaS approach works within Trend Micro InterScan Messaging Virtual Appliance. Watch the product flash demo here.
- Visit IMSVA’s updated product page here.
- Link to media room for screen shots, box shots and press presentationshere.
North American Pricing & Availability
IMSVA Hybrid SaaS Email Security is priced with both a perpetual and subscription based pricing, and is currently available as part of theTrend Micro Early Adopter Program throughout Summer 2010. Pricing varies by seat count and decreases with volume. Perpetual Licensing Prices start at $20.23 per user for 1,000 users.
Trend Micro™ InterScan Messaging Virtual Appliance is part of Trend Micro™ Enterprise Security – a tightly integrated offering of content security products, services and solutions which is powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network™. Trend Micro Enterprise Security delivers maximum protection from emerging threats while minimizing the cost and complexity of security management.
About Trend Micro:
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security, focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the newest Web threats. Visit TrendWatch at www.trendmicro.com/go/trendwatch to learn more about the latest threats. Trend Micro’s flexible solutions, available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence experts around the globe. Many of these solutions are powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ infrastructure, a next-generation cloud-client innovation that combines sophisticated cloud-based reputation technology, feedback loops, and the expertise of TrendLabs(SM) researchers to deliver real-time protection from emerging threats. A transnational company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Trend Micro’s trusted security solutions are sold through its business partners worldwide. Please visit www.trendmicro.com.
SOURCE Trend Micro
