Secure Computing expands operations in the Middle East

The US-based company will target the banking, oil and gas, and telecommunications sectors of the region.

"Secure Computing has seen a very high demand for network security solution in the Middle East and we are ready to fill the gap. Online criminals are getting more sophisticated in their illegal operations, which have necessitated more advanced technology in many companies' armory of defense against spam, worms, botnets and phishers. Secure Computing has always been a step ahead of these unscrupulous groups and individuals, which has made us the preferred network protection provider," said Sami Mulla, Director, Middle East and Africa, Secure Computing.

Secure Computing will leverage its top-quality gateway security products and TrustedSource™ technology, the company's global reputation intelligence system, to capture a larger share of the market and enhance the Secure Computing brand among its targeted customers. The company will establish partnerships in the new markets as it consolidates its leadership position in the industry.

"The next level of attack from spammers will come from precise spear phishing, which has the potential to cause loss of trust in the online industry. This has very serious repercussions that could affect even ordinary online users. For instance, this could result in banks charging online transactions, which would be very harmful both to customers and business enterprises," Mulla said.

Secure Computing predicts 2007 will be the "Year of the Zombies," referring to personal computers (PC) infected by malicious computer programmes or botnets that allow outside users to control the PC to promote their illegal activities. The company noted that botnets will become more intelligent and better able to evade detection. Secure Computing also expects spam volumes to grow, accounting for more than 95 percent of all email by the end of the year.

"Online criminals are becoming more daring and craftier, posing greater threats to unsuspecting organizations and individuals as modern cyber criminals could effortlessly steal financial and personal information from millions of potential victims. Conventional security measures are not sufficient to stop these attacks. Adopting advanced network security technologies is now the best way to prevent enterprises from being victimized by these criminals," Mulla added.

Secure Computing recently launched in the Middle East the Webwasher 6.5 and the Sidewinder 7.0. The two products are incorporated into the TrustedSource technology, which provides real-time reputation scores for IPs, domains and URLs, much like a credit agency provides credit scores to enable reliable commerce.