Comprehensive Managed Security Services From METASeS Inject Proactivity and Aggressive Response Into the Battle Against Network Hackers.

Business & High Tech Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 16, 2000

Services Deliver In-Depth Analysis to Track Intrusion Threats and Respond to Breaches with Rapid Incident Response and Forensic Analysis

An industry-first package of services from METASeS -- a leading Internet security consulting firm -- has put muscle on the bone of network monitoring to counter the threat of Internet hackers.

METASeS' Managed Security Services (MSS) offering, which is being demonstrated at this week's USENIX conference, consists of three elements: web-enabled, real-time security information and best practice policies; in-depth monitoring and safeguard management capabilities; and aggressive incident response and computer forensic services. Clients may obtain any or all of the three service components.

Security program administration

METASeS is the first to offer enterprises a user-friendly way of maintaining robust network security by web-enabling the most up-to-date information on best practice policies, standards and procedures, architectural guidelines and incident response management.

"Front-end 'preventive maintenance' is a critical first step for successful network security," said Craig A. Robinson, chief operating officer at METASeS. "Until now, companies had no choice but to pore over volumes of often outdated information, usually when a crisis hits. METASeS has made prevention easy by bringing critical information to the web, and allowing clients to store and cross-reference information and policies that help keep hackers from crossing the threshold."

Security monitoring and safeguard management services

Security monitoring serves as the MSS offering's second front in the battle against network intrusion. Consultants monitor client networks on a round-the-clock basis, seven days a week. Importantly, METASeS provides a "Level Two" threat analysis to detect intrusion attempts that have not yet breached the security architecture by, for example, triggering an alarm on an intrusion detection system. Left undetected, such attempts could threaten the enterprise at a later time.

"Our in-depth `Level Two' services catch potential threats at an early stage," said Robinson. "We're the network security dentist that catches the hidden plaque before it turns into a painful cavity."

The METASeS monitoring offering further prevents network intrusion by helping clients establish and manage safeguards. Safeguard management services include firewall configuration, router management, scanning, and penetration testing. This offering mitigates potential network weaknesses and creates a cost-effective solution for managing network security.

"Without consistent safeguard management, network configuration can eventually drift and weaken to the point that a company loses awareness and control of the traffic that is allowed access to the network," said Robinson.

Response and forensics services

Finally, in the event of a network breach, METASeS incident response services are quickly engaged to prevent further intrusion into a company's critical business resources. METASeS' response management experts, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, contain the problem and provide advisory updates on new vulnerabilities to guard against future attacks.

"A security plan is useless without a quick response," said Robinson. "METASeS trains response team members so they are prepared to respond rapidly to problems and achieve recovery with minimal interruption to IT functions."

Industry-leading forensic services complete the MSS network response offering. Specialized forensic experts collect and preserve data and evidence of security problems after a network intrusion. This forensic evidence is critical for criminal prosecution of hackers. It also helps companies evaluate why a breach took place and how to prevent it next time.

About METASeS

Founded in January 1999, METASeS -- also known as META Secur e-COM Solutions -- is an independent Internet security consulting firm and an affiliate of META Group (NASDQ: METG) employing an elite team of Internet security experts to provide a comprehensive web-based, quality-first approach to securing a company's cyberspace. In addition to providing high-end, on-site consulting services, METASeS provides comprehensive security services and solutions over the Internet -- making it the first security company to offer this level of service and value over this highly effective medium. For more details, visit www.metases.com.