Coopers & Lybrand and Purdue University enter association to promote information security.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 1996--

-- Initiative Spurred by Internet Commerce and Other Info

Security Concerns --

Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.'s Computer Assurance Services (CAS) practice today announced an agreement with Purdue University aimed at building better firewalls to prevent the pillaging of confidential corporate information. The professional services firm's membership in the "Corporate Partners" program at Purdue University's Computer Science Department stems from the many security problems that have accompanied the growth of complex information based systems, such as internet commerce.

"To the techno-elite hacker community, corporate Internet connections look like bank vaults protected by screen doors," explained Bruce Murphy, partner and national director, information technology security services (ITSS) at Coopers & Lybrand. "Together with the Computer Operations, Audit, and Security Technology (COAST) group at Purdue, we are exploring joint projects by which we could replace those screen doors with industrial strength armor," he said. Coopers & Lybrand is among several major corporations supporting the information security initiative at Purdue. Other companies include Sun Microsystems, Intel, Dupont and Hewlett-Packard, among others.

Through its relationship with the department, Coopers & Lybrand and Purdue University hope to:

-- encourage the linkage of the business community with education and research;

-- assist and participate in developing emerging security technologies and processes; and

-- support the creation of solutions for corporate security concerns.

Murphy says Coopers & Lybrand has long recognized the need to invest in developing solutions to the difficult security challenges presented by the information architectures and technologies deployed in business environments today.

"The Internet, electronic commerce, client server systems, distributed and collaborative computing and inter-company connectivity are driving the need for innovative and creative solutions to securing business information," Murphy added. Membership in Purdue's Corporate Partners program demonstrates Coopers & Lybrand's commitment to identifying new methods to secure our clients' information," he added.

Coopers & Lybrand is rapidly expanding its IT security practice, with a specific focus on network security, driven by overwhelming customer demand for Internet-related services. The global professional services firm offers an entire suite of security services that address various components of a secure network design, including architecture development, technical assessment and review, strategic planning and compliance monitoring. Such engagements are now a key part of Coopers & Lybrand's CAS practice, with Internet-based commerce projected to create a magnitude of audit, control and security consulting opportunities.

COAST is a multiple project, multiple investigator effort in computer security research at Purdue University. The program aims to forge closer ties to researchers and engineers in major companies and government agencies with a focus on real world needs and limitations. The goal is to develop strategic associations leading to mutual benefit over several years.

One of the world's leading professional services firms, Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. provides services for enterprises in a wide range of industries. The firm offers its clients the expertise of more than 16,000 professionals and staff in offices located in 100 U.S. cities and, through the member firms of Coopers & Lybrand International, more than 70,000 people in 140 countries worldwide.

CONTACT: Coopers & Lybrand, New York 

Steven Silber, 212/259-4059