IBM Introduces Telecom Security for the Digital World

Addressing the telecommunications industry's most pressing concern, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled security hardware, software and services to help meet the security needs of the user, enterprise systems and the core of large-scale Internet Protocol (IP) carrier networks

The Telecom Core Infrastructure Security Solution monitors and manages not only the health of network but the traffic itself, through a single, integrated system.

As the telecom industry re-directs efforts toward launching and delivering IP-based services -- telephone services over the Internet, Internet TV, push to talk and instant messaging -- they have become particularly vulnerable to a new breed of attack, designed to cripple the key components and networks that deliver these new services.

Through this solution, carriers can offer enterprises higher levels of security and reliability. "We believe security represents a tremendous revenue opportunity for carriers and we are well positioned to help them execute on that opportunity," said Mike Hill, general manager, global telecommunications industry, IBM.

Scalable to meet the demands of large, highly distributed carrier networks, IBM's new security offering features accurate and early anomaly detection, while providing powerful, flexible mitigation options that allow network operators to take action and enforce policy either manually or automatically.

The solution comprises several components:

• Tivoli® Security Operations Manager provides the monitoring and correlation of the events from security components, such as firewalls and  intrusion detection systems;


• NarusInsight™ Secure Suite from Narus, Inc. provides monitoring and correlation of all of the traffic that flows across the carrier network; 


• Tivoli Netcool software then acts as the "manager of the managers," by providing an additional tier of correlation between Tivoli Security Operations Manager and NarusInsight Secure Suite. The multi-tiered correlation capability allows the Telecom Core Infrastructure Security Solution to detect the widest possible range of attacks, with significantly increased accuracy;


• IBM® BladeCenter® servers that use less power, produce   significantly less heat, have longer life spans, and are easy to set up and scale;


• And integration, delivery and support services.  

In addition to addressing the carrier requirements for core security, IBM's new security system provides a platform for additional carrier revenue opportunities. By providing managed security services based on the IBM solution to their enterprise customers, service providers can be more efficient in bringing better and more cost-effective new services to market.
As enterprise IT managers struggle with the expertise and resources required to secure their networks, more and more are now turning to their telecom service providers to deliver "clean pipes" free of worms viruses and malicious traffic.

"Technology from our recent Micromuse acquisition combined with the NarusInsight Secure Suite delivers thorough solutions to today's rapidly evolving telecom industry," said Mike Hill, general manager, telecommunications industry, IBM. "IBM is in the unique position to deliver integrated offerings that cover the security requirements of carriers worldwide."

IBM, BladeCenter, Tivoli and Proventia are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM Corp. in the United States, other countries, or both. Alphablox is a registered trademark of Alphablox Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.