Network Associates.

Who's watching your network while you're reading Latin Trade?

In an era of rising e-commerce and Internet communications, network security is a major concern for businesses throughout Latin America.

Network Associates, Inc. provides a fully integrated set of security solutions, including viral defenses, intrusion detection, encryption and firewalls, as well as tools for network visibility and analysis.

"We have the tools to protect business and individual users," says Herbert A. Molina, vice president and general manager, Latin America and Caribbean. "Network Associates is helping companies protect and expand their data networks and e-commerce applications. When we talk about e-commerce, either business to consumer (B2C) or business to business (B2B), security is a primary concern. With Latin American e-commerce forecast to reach $8 billion by 2003, protecting a network will be even more of a priority."

Based Santa Clara, California, Network Associates (NASDAQ: NETA) now ranks third among all desktop software providers worldwide, after Microsoft and Novell. Network Associates ranks tenth among all software companies worldwide, with 1999 revenues of nearly $900 million. "We have installed solutions and services in more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies worldwide, and our security products have very important users, such as the White House," Molina says. "More than 70 million desktop users worldwide use our products and services."

Network Associates has grown rapidly through the acquisition of many leading technology companies, such as Network General (NetGen), Trusted Information Systems (TIS), Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), Magic HelpDesk Solutions (Magic), Dr. Solomon Software, and Balista Intrusion Detection Solutions. Network Associates has enhanced their applications and created four integrated suites:

* Total Virus Defense, which provides protection at all points of entry.

* Total Network Security, which includes encryption, authentication, intrusion protection and firewall technologies.

* Total Network Visibility, using the highly regarded Sniffer system analyzers.

* Total Service Desk, a fully integrated help desk solution for Windows NT and SQL-based systems.

Network Associates is also turning its software products into services. For example, the company has developed mycio.com, an online area service provider (ASP) that helps small, medium and large-scale enterprises manage their networks, from requisition analysis through complete implementation. Together with our Value Added Resellers (VARs) throughout the region, systems integrators (S/I) and distributors, we will bring this type of supply-chain-value service-oriented approach to Latin America."

Since entering Latin America in 1996 as McAfee & Associates, Network Associates as grown more than 1,000 percent in revenues. Network Associates currently has offices in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Plantation, Florida. Molina, a native of Lima, Peru, who joined Network Associates in 1996, has more than 20 years of experience transferring technology from the United States to Latin America.

Molina expects three Latin American technology sectors to grow tremendously in the next few years: networking, wireless communication, and security. "Network Associates plays a role in all three areas," he says. "We offer a total solution to a small, medium or large enterprise through one suite of integrated products, so a customer doesn't have to use different vendors for each security area. That helps reduce the overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)."