MCI JOINS WITH TELEDESIGN MANAGEMENT TO OFFER CUSTOMERS STRONG TOOL TO HELP PREVENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRAUD.ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 1996--MCI Telecommunications today announced it has joined forces with TeleDesign Management Inc. to deploy a software tool that will help MCI (1) (Media Control Interface) A high-level programming interface from Microsoft and IBM for controlling multimedia devices. It provides commands and functions to open, play and close the device. (2) (Microwave Communications Inc. business customers proactively combat telecommunications fraud. Industry analysts estimate that telecommunications fraud costs American businesses at least $2 billion in losses annually, much of it from unauthorized access through phone systems. Business phone systems, or PBXs, are often compromised due to of improper installation, maintenance changes over time, or more often, as a result of a hacker penetrating the system. After a hack, it is difficult to tell how the PBX (Private Branch eXchange) An inhouse telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other as well as to the outside telephone network (PSTN). was compromised. An unprotected switch is an open invitation to hackers for dip into dip into Verb 1. to draw upon: he dipped into his savings 2. to read passages at random from (a book or journal) Verb 1. corporate financial data. TelGuard Risk Analysis audits the PBX's configuration against hacker techniques. Recommendations are made to eliminate or reduce vulnerabilities and still allow the PBX to function supporting the business. With TelGuard Risk Analysis, MCI conducts a security audit of a customer's telephone equipment software to identify potential vulnerabilities. "Phone system hacking is a very serious problem for many of our customers," said Sherry Pettite, director, MCI core business products and services. "With MCI's network monitoring The term network monitoring describes the use of a system that constantly monitors a computer network for slow or failing systems and that notifies the network administrator in case of outages via email, pager or other alarms. and the latest third party security tools, our customers can be assured of a greater degree of protection by shielding their PBX is from hackers seeking to steal valuable information and telecommunications services." The TelGuard Risk Analysis is performed by accessing the customer's PBX equipment through a remote maintenance port. The software closely examines all system design decisions that impact call completion capabilities, recommending corrective actions for features that may enable a telephone hacker to illegally penetrate their system in order to obtain free long distance. In addition, TeleDesign Management personnel will provide consultation to MCI customers on how to secure systems while maintaining flexibility required by the customer to meet business needs. During implementation of the recommended security measures Noun 1. security measures - measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.; "military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising" security , TeleDesign will provide prevention techniques and documentation detailing any recommended software and hardware changes needed to secure the system. "Hackers and phreakers continually find creative means to steal businesses' assets through the PBX," said Ed Simonson, president of TeleDesign Management, Inc. "MCI is proactively educating its customers though its Systems Integrity initiative, and together with TelGuard Risk Analysis they are very effective weapons against telecommunications fraud." The TelGuard Risk Analysis can be performed on a number of popular PBX systems, including AT&T Systems 75 (RlV1, 2 & 3), System 85, Definity G!, Definity G2, Definity G3 (r&i) Northern Telecom (All) ROLM ROLM Richeson Oshman Loewenstern Maxfield (founders of ROLM Corporation, computer & telecommunications company) ROLM Randomized on Line Matching : (7000, 8000, 9000, 9006, 9751 & Redwood) NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. 2400 Mitel Fujitsu Toshiba Tadiran GTD GTD Getting Things Done GTD Guaranteed GTD Gestational Trophoblastic Disease GTD Geometrical Theory of Diffraction GTD Generic Transparency Descriptor GTD Game Time Decision GTD Gonadotropin Deficiency GTD Global Tone Detection 5. MCI is offering the TelGuard Risk Analysis as part of its MCI Detect line of products and services, including around-the-clock toll fraud detection, educational information and awareness, expert security consultations, vendor affiliate discounts, and customized fraud notification for MCI business customers. For more information about a TelGuard Risk Analysis, MCI customers should contact their MCI sales representatives. MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is one of the world's largest and fastest growing diversified communications companies. With annual revenue of more than $15 billion, MCI offers consumers and businesses a broad portfolio of services including long distance, wireless, local, paging, messaging, Internet, information services See Information Systems. , outsourcing, and advanced global communications. CONTACT: MCI Media Relations Paul Adams Paul Adams is the name of:
|
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion