Comstor Launches `Layered Security Optimized', Providing Comprehensive Framework for VARs to Enhance Network Security Sales.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Program Includes Nation-Wide Sales Engagement Training and Proven Multi-Level Threat-Deterrent Methodologies

Westcon Group, Inc., a multi-national distributor of networking technology products, announced that its Comstor division has launched Layered Security Optimized, a program designed to help VARs create and maintain success in the networking security market. Layered Security Optimized builds on the Layered Security concept Comstor initiated two years ago and consists of a multi-level framework aimed at deterring constantly evolving security threats while providing sales engagement strategies for resellers.

The underlying principle behind Layered Security Optimized is that in order to maintain a truly secure network infrastructure, companies must defend their networks on several distinct fronts with a total complementary solution. Today's security challenges fall into four broad categories including threat defense, trust and identity, secure communications and management. While these challenges may be present on any network, certain vertical markets such as healthcare, education and financial services often require a deeper level of understanding and more specialized solution approach.

Comstor has built the Layered Security Optimized program with the full support of Cisco Systems and many of its eco-system security partners including RSA Security, Tripwire, e-Watch and Secure Computing. The program includes a training series entitled "Selling Security Solutions: Layered Technology and Multi-Layered Engagements". The training series, which focuses on selling layered solutions to both technical and business decision makers, began on January 20th in Dallas, TX and will be offered in many cities across the United States.

Duncan Potter, director of worldwide marketing for Westcon Group, Inc., commented: Layered Security Optimized is a platform through which we are able to impart our advanced technical and sales engagement experience directly to our Comstor security resellers. We have developed and refined this framework in close cooperation with Cisco over many years with the single objective of helping our resellers take their businesses to the next level."

Lisa Gosselin, director of Americas channel and corporate sales of RSA Security, said: "By offering Layered Security Optimized, Comstor is once again taking specialty distribution to the next level by providing relevant, practical information that resellers can apply from a both a sales engagement perspective and a technical perspective. This program gives resellers a cohesive roadmap to help them identify and address vulnerabilities in their customers' networks."

Brett Morris, director of sales for Electronic Systems, Inc., a Virginia Beach, VA-based reseller, added: "We are looking forward to taking part in Comstor's Layered Security Optimized" program. The dynamics of security solution selling have changed; resellers must not only be fluent in the products and technologies, but they must also be able to articulate risk factors and ROI more clearly up to the CXO level. Comstor has helped my own sales staff become more effective in achieving this."

By participating in the program, resellers also gain access to several tools including Comstor's 40 page security sales guide entitled "Selling to the Business Decision Maker", Cisco's "Security Policy Builder" and the Layered Security Optimized checklist/network assessment. Comstor plans to announce special product promotions on an ongoing basis. Resellers interested in participating in Layered Security Optimized should contact Marilyn DeMent, senior Cisco marketing manager, Comstor, at 1 (800) COMSTOR (1-800-266-7867).

About Westcon Group

Westcon Group, Inc. is a multi-national specialty distributor of networking and communications equipment for leading technology vendors, including Cisco Systems, Inc., Nortel Networks Corporation and Avaya, Inc. Through its Westcon, Comstor and Voda One divisions, Westcon Group sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service providers. Westcon Group has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data and video applications and technologies, including voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, security for networking and communications systems, remote access, Internet and e-business, virtual private networks, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity. For more information, visit www.westcongroup.com.