Verizon Moves Security Into the Cloud

Detailing its strategy for pushing network security more fully into the cloud, Verizon Business (VZ) unveiled what it called “a new global, cloud-based security-as-a-service portfolio that offers enterprises the ability to quickly and easily add robust security services – with just the click of a mouse.”

Verizon already offers a deep portfolio of managed security services, but those remain based to varying degrees on premises-based equipment. Delivered via Verizon’s global IP network, one of the most extensive in the world, the new security services enable businesses to add new locations to their protective umbrella using a centralized management console for real-time provisioning.

The cloud-based security portfolio will be rolled out in phases, starting next month with virus, spam, and malware protection as well as URL filtering. Those initial services will be available to existing IP customers at no additional charge. They’ll be followed by more extensive firewall, denial-of-service, and intrusion detection systems by early 2011.

Verizon is reportedly working with Arbor Networks on enterprise-grade DOS protection.

As network security threats become more complex and more globalized, many businesses find they lack the manpower and the expertise to keep up. Cloud-based security has become increasingly popular with companies that have multiple locations but prefer to leave the security to their ISPs. Overall, service provider revenue from managed security services is forecast by research firm Infonetics to grow 78 percent between 2008 and 2013.

Earlier this year, Verizon Business published a list of the Top 15 Cyber Attacks. The top four were keylogging and spyware, backdoor and command/control tools, SQL injections that exploit communications between Web sites and back-end databases, and abuse of system access and privileges.