Tech security tops technology reseller channel agenda

Dorian Breakspear-Coyle, Cisco business unit manager at Tech Data said: "One of the serious issues we agreed on is that, today more than ever, Middle East based businesses need more than just an anti-virus software to protect their systems from external, and more importantly, internal technology threats."

Jonathan Saunders, Regional Sales Manager Unified Channels for Cisco Systems Middle East explains: "As every part of a business is a point of attack, then everyone and everything within that organisation must be part of the defence. In such an uncertain environment, security should reside on each router, server or network and also at the core of corporate culture. This is the rationale behind both Cisco's SAFE security blueprint and also the local initiatives we are undertaking in the region."

Jyoti Lalchandani, regional manager for IDC, EMEA, explains: "The Middle East is not an exception to security threats compared to the rest of the world. Every organization, small or large, uses some type of web-based activities ranging from simple email servers to full fledged e-business models." He continues: "While large enterprises with offices in the region have made security implementation as a global policy even in the Middle East, the majority of businesses here have no more than simple anti-virus software. This makes the Middle East based businesses very much exposed to a variety of security breaches."

Among other security related subjects, the briefing session touched on Cisco and Tech Data's efforts to guide the technology reseller market and end-users. Breakspear-Coyle says: "A good first step for many SMB companies is to conduct a security audit to understand how secure their business is. This simple and straightforward process provides a first step to building a security policy for the company."

Breakspear-Coyle ends: "There is a clear need in the market for greater awareness and greater resources that help drive SMB's investment in security. Cisco and Tech Data will be soon announcing initiatives that will take the hand of channel as well as the small to medium enterprise customers towards a more secured computing environment."

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