New remote security management system announced
[21/03/2006]

Telspace Managed Security Services has released a new remote security management system called Telspace Audit. The system identifies critical problems on a network that need to be addressed urgently, based on a ‘hacker’s eye view’ of the network.

As Telspace MD Dino Covotsos explains, “It basically emulates a team of hackers using unique methodologies and techniques to find the security threats, exposed private information and attack vulnerabilities in any network.”

Telspace Audit is a very cost-effective system that functions remotely, enabling administrators and top decision makers to get a detailed overview of their network security status. The report shows how the network could be attacked, what confidential information is exposed, the potential business impact of a hacker incident and how to fix any security problems.

It’s a robust, automated tool that currently tests for over ten thousand different security vulnerabilities and shows different levels of seriousness in the identified security threats.

The Telspace Audit report provides both a business perspective for non-technical readers and detailed technical information for IT staff. Graphs and information summaries give a quick-reference ease of use to survey vital security issues.

Security threats are assessed by risk factor and by family. Telspace has identified 11 different families of threat classifications. If a large diversity of threat families crops up in an analysis there’s reason to be concerned because systems like this make an easy target for attackers.

The system also reveals vulnerable open network ports where attackers can access the network. “It’s a good idea to make sure specific ports are firewalled – the more open ports, the more potential entry points to a network/server,” warns Covotsos.

“The Telspace Audit system cross-references security threats by port number and risk factor in order to reveal which port represents the greatest overall risk to the target system.”

A unique feature of the Telspace analysis is its Comparative Security Ranking. Here Telspace assigns a score to the security analysis report based on the quantity and severity of the security threats discovered. The formula rates the quality of network security against all other systems that Telspace has analysed, providing a benchmark against which a company can measure its security level.

Covotsos stresses that it’s important to provide a clear window on security issues for both non-technical and technical staff. To this end Telspace Audit include a security resolution checklist, a high-level summary that helps managers to organise the work-flow process when addressing network security threats.

Another plus is a review of general security practices to consider. These checklist items enable companies to manage the awareness, protection, and reaction of the network to possible security attacks.

Comments Covotsos, “The old saying that ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link’ is true for the network and information security – all it takes is one vulnerability on one link in the network chain to spell disaster for the entire network.

“Telspace can analyse the security of every Internet-connected device on the network, including servers, desktops, routers, firewalls, fileservers and laptops.”

The Telspace MD notes that new security threats and vulnerabilities are discovered daily and that the Telspace database of security threats generally grows by 10-20 new vulnerabilities every week. Telspace has recorded more than 80 new security threats cropping up in a single month.

As Covotsos concludes, “Being educated about what a hacker may be looking for on your system can help you understand why keeping your network secure is so critical. As an aid to understanding security, Telspace Audit includes an Education Report that gives a comprehensive explanation of network and information security.”

Dino Covotsos
Telspace website: http://www.telspace.co.za
Telephone: 011 235 4015/6
Cell: 082 352 9296