Paul Kurtz, Former Special Assistant to the President, Named Executive
Director
RSA(R) CONFERENCE 2004, SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cyber
Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) was launched today at the RSA(R) Conference
2004 by a group of 12 innovative security software, hardware and service
vendors. The CSIA is a non-profit corporate-membership organization, whose
mission is to improve cyber security through public policy initiatives, public
sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic programs, alignment behind
emerging industry technology standards and public education.
The CSIA also announced the appointment of Paul Kurtz as its executive
director. Most recently, Kurtz served as Special Assistant to the President
and Senior Director for Critical Infrastructure Protection on the White
House's Homeland Security Council (HSC). He was responsible for developing
the White House's strategy and policy for protecting the nation's critical
infrastructure.
Prior to joining the HSC in 2003, Kurtz served on the White House's
National Security Council (NSC) as Senior Director for National Security of
the Office of Cyberspace Security. He was also a member of the President's
Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, where he developed the President's
National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.
"Cyber security now serves as the linchpin of success in meeting both our
homeland and economic security objectives," said Kurtz. "Security will enable
the IT revolution to reach its full potential. As a result, a unified
industry voice is needed to assist consumers, enterprises and governments to
meet the security challenges of today's digital world. The CSIA looks forward
to working in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private
sector to address the various implications associated with securing
cyberspace."
Comprised exclusively of information technology security companies, the
CSIA is uniquely positioned to benefit consumers, governments and a cross-
section of industries by leveraging its members' shared expertise and
resources.
Founding members include BindView Corp.; Check Point Software Technologies
Ltd.; Computer Associates International, Inc.; Entrust, Inc.; Internet
Security Systems Inc.; NetScreen Technologies, Inc.; Network Associates, Inc.;
PGP Corporation; Qualys, Inc.; RSA Security Inc.; Secure Computing
Corporation; and Symantec Corporation. The CSIA's Board of Directors is
composed of the CEOs of these companies.
The CSIA will take up the challenge laid down by U.S. Secretary of
Homeland Security Tom Ridge at the National Cyber Security Summit held Dec. 3,
2003 in Santa Clara, Calif., where Ridge noted that the federal government
cannot succeed on its own. "Eighty-five percent of our nation's critical
infrastructure, including the cyber network that controls it, is owned and
operated by the private sector. As such, we not only need businesses to be
active partners with us in securing these vital assets, we need
businesses...to lead the way."
The CSIA will carry out its work via focused member-driven committees:
Public Policy, Education and Alliances, Awareness, and Standards. CSIA
members are working to finalize their initial agendas, which will likely
include initiatives in the following areas:
*Coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to improve
information-sharing between business and government on cyber-threats;
*Improving corporate governance of information security;
*Improving Federal procurement practices and guidelines;
*Identifying gaps in cyber security R&D;
*Collaborating with U.S. and international standards development
organizations to support emerging technology standards and specifications
that will serve to enhance cyber security;
*Supporting existing campaigns to improve awareness of cyber security,
including the National Cyber Security Alliance;
*Supporting academic programs such as the Centers of Academic Excellence
in Information Assurance Education and building workforce development
programs;
*Pursuing U.S. Senate ratification of the Council of Europe's Convention
on Cyber-Crime.
The CSIA has two levels of membership, Charter and Principal, which are
limited to companies with a substantial focus on providing cyber security
solutions. More information about membership can be found at
http://www.csialliance.org.
About the CSIA
Launched in February 2004 by a group of cyber security software, hardware
and services companies, the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) is an
advocacy group whose mission is to enhance cyber security through public
policy initiatives, public sector partnerships, corporate outreach, academic
programs, alignment behind emerging industry technology standards and public
education.
Founding members of the CSIA include BindView Corp., (Nasdaq: BVEW); Check
Point Software Technologies Ltd., (Nasdaq: CHKP); Computer Associates
International, Inc., (NYSE: CA); Entrust, Inc., (Nasdaq: ENTU); Internet
Security Systems Inc., (Nasdaq: ISSX); NetScreen Technologies, Inc., (Nasdaq:
NSCN); Network Associates, Inc., (NYSE: NET); PGP Corporation; Qualys, Inc.;
RSA Security Inc., (Nasdaq: RSAS); Secure Computing Corporation (Nasdaq: SCUR)
and Symantec Corporation, (Nasdaq: SYMC). For more information about the
CSIA, please visit http://www.csialliance.org or call +1-781-876-8998.
SUPPORTING COMMENTS FROM CYBER SECURITY INDUSTRY ALLIANCE MEMBERS
"Cyber crime continues to punch holes in the worldwide IT ecosystem,
inflicting business loss and disruption, personal identity theft and malicious
mayhem on its victims," said BindView President and Chief Executive Officer
Eric J. Pulaski. "BindView is resolute in its commitment to thwart cyber
crime and is proudly working with CSIA member companies to set IT security and
compliance standards that enable the public and private sectors to harden
their IT systems against internal and external cyber attacks."
To arrange an interview with a BindView spokesperson, contact:
Yvonne Donaldson, (713) 503-5623, yvonne.donaldson@bindview.com
"The CSIA marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Internet
security and gives a much needed voice on security issues faced by both the
public and private sectors," said Jerry Ungerman, President of Check Point
Software Technologies. "By joining the Cyber Security Industry Alliance,
Check Point will help to drive efforts to address key cyber security issues,
standards and compliance."
To arrange an interview with a Check Point spokesperson, contact:
Molly Ford, (650) 743-8503, mford@us.checkpoint.com
"As the sophistication of cyber-threats continues to grow, so must the
defense of our nation's infrastructure," said Russell M. Artzt, executive vice
president of eTrust solutions at Computer Associates International, Inc. "The
CSIA will play an important role in ensuring that the public and private
sectors work closely to achieve this sophistication with respect to both
technology and functional coordination."
To arrange an interview with a Computer Associates spokesperson, contact:
Tim Whitman, (631) 553-3047, timothy.whitman@ca.com
"Of the many disparate groups dealing with IT security, none has cyber
security as its only mission," said Bill Conner, president, chairman and CEO,
Entrust, Inc. "By providing a laser-like focus on cyber security, the CSIA
can play a vital role in protecting our homeland and paving the way for e-
commerce. We are pleased to join the CSIA as a founding member."
To arrange an interview with an Entrust spokesperson, contact:
Carrie Bendzsa, (613) 864-2127, carrie.bendzsa@entrust.com
"As a pioneer and trusted provider of security products and services since
1994, we are dedicated to supporting a public policy dialogue for cyber
security through federal appointments, testimonies, memberships and
associations," said Tom Noonan, Chairman, President and CEO of Internet
Security Systems. "It is important for ISS to continue to help lead that
dialogue, and we are hopeful that the formation of the CSIA and our
involvement will increase the focus on public policy issues and actions to
protect our nation's critical infrastructure."
To arrange an interview with an ISS spokesperson, contact:
Adam Paige, (646) 391-6659, adam_paige@nyc.cohnwolfe.com
"NetScreen is pleased to be a founding member of the CSIA, as a leading
security solution provider that helps some of the world's largest enterprises
and service providers protect their networks," said Robert Thomas, president
and CEO of NetScreen Technologies, Inc. "Collectively, NetScreen and the
other CSIA members can play a critical role in driving awareness of and
solutions to critical security issues that customers cannot find from other
companies or industry organizations."
To arrange an interview with a NetScreen spokesperson, contact:
Jennifer Jennings, (408) 543-8243, jjennings@netscreen.com
"As a leader in the security industry, Network Associates has been a long-
time advocate for the enhancement of cyber-security initiatives, and as a
founding member of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, we look forward to
partnering our efforts to push forth the necessary public policy, education
and awareness to combat cyber-security issues," said George Samenuk, chairman
and chief executive officer of Network Associates. "The proliferation of
security threats requires a unified and collaborative effort between industry
and government to generate technology and regulatory solutions that will
ultimately benefit customers around the world."
To arrange an interview with a Network Associates spokesperson, contact:
Dana Lengkeek, (415) 994-4008, dana_lengkeek@nai.com
"We are pleased to participate in the founding of CSIA, as industry
leaders build a framework for pervasive information security," said Phillip
Dunkelberger, President and CEO of PGP Corporation. "Today we join an
important initiative to raise worldwide awareness, greatly reduce risks, and
build a future of interoperable security solutions."
To arrange an interview with a PGP spokesperson, contact:
Lori Curtis, (970) 887-0044, lori@jumpstartcom.com
"Over the last year, we have seen a significant shift in the security
industry. Once a technology and IT concern, security has now become a
business enabler and a national issue, and our actions as an industry must
address these needs," said Philippe Courtot, Chairman and CEO of Qualys, Inc.
"Qualys is dedicated to ensuring action and cooperation in the industry to
better secure companies around the world, and we believe the CSIA will provide
an effective avenue to accomplish these goals."
To arrange an interview with a Qualys spokesperson, contact:
Megan Lamb, (703) 926-5292, lamb@merrittgrp.com
"It is important to come together as an industry to elevate the security
issue to the board level and move beyond dialogue to concrete actions," said
Art Coviello, president and CEO at RSA Security. "The CSIA can help improve
security through more effective security standards and best practices, to
provide tools that businesses and government agencies can use to both assess
and reduce risks, and help consumers take basic steps to protect themselves
from cyber threats. RSA Security is confident that the CSIA will be able to
advance these goals and we are pleased to be a part of this effort."
To arrange an interview with an RSA Security spokesperson, contact:
Tim Powers, (781) 515-6212, tpowers@rsasecurity.com
"Recent events such as the MyDoom worm have demonstrated there is a
pressing need for information security industry standards and user education,"
said John McNulty, chairman and CEO of Secure Computing. "The ever increasing
threats and cost of disruptions make it incumbent upon the major players in
the information security industry to provide leadership in setting standards
and working to educate the public. Secure Computing is proud to be a founding
member of the CSIA."
To arrange an interview with a Secure Computing spokesperson, contact:
David Burt, (206) 683-9508, David_Burt@Securecomputing.com
"The formation of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance underscores how
serious the issue of Internet security has become for all segments of society.
Over the last six months, cyber attacks such as SoBig, Welchia, Blaster,
Beagle and MyDoom have inflicted untold billions of dollars in damage to the
world's economy," said John Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer of
Symantec Corporation. "Through the Alliance, Symantec looks forward to
working with our industry colleagues to create a more secure Internet in the
digitally connected world that all of us live and work in today."
To arrange an interview with a Symantec spokesperson, contact:
Cris Paden, (408) 517-8547, cpaden@symantec.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Judith Vanderkay
Cyber Security Industry Alliance
+1-781-876-6208
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com
SOURCE Cyber Security Industry Alliance
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Related links:
http://www.csialliance.org
CONTACT:
Judith Vanderkay of Cyber Security Industry
Alliance, +1-781-876-6208, jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com
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