Communications, security, and academic experts to collaborate on developing
real-world solutions for VoIP security challenges
ATLANTA, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Tech Information Security
Center (GTISC) today announced it is creating a partnership with BellSouth
(NYSE: BLS) and Internet Security Systems (Nasdaq: ISSX) to explore
security surrounding the emerging Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
technology. As communication services migrate to Internet-based platforms,
it is important that the security and dependability users expect in the
current public switched networks be maintained with these new converged
technologies. At the GTISC VoIP Security Summit held in April 2005, GTISC
initiated a dialogue with security and telecommunications industry leaders,
including ISS and BellSouth, to proactively address security associated
with this emerging technology.
"At GTISC, we feel strongly that security should not be an
after-thought with VoIP," said Mustaque Ahamad, principal investigator and
director of GTISC. "By partnering with proven industry leaders ISS and
BellSouth, GTISC will be able to lead the research efforts necessary to
better understand VoIP threats and explore techniques that are well suited
for securing VoIP devices, protocols and services."
Internet Security Systems and BellSouth have committed to a two-year
research program totaling $300,000. This funding will enable GTISC faculty
and graduate students to work with ISS and BellSouth technologists to
develop and evaluate solutions that address VoIP security. In return,
BellSouth and ISS will have access to the resulting intellectual property.
"Internet Security Systems was one of the first security companies to
provide coverage for VoIP protocols in our products," said Christopher
Rouland, chief technology officer at Internet Security Systems. "We look
forward to working with experts at GTISC and BellSouth to further our
understanding of VoIP vulnerabilities and how best to mitigate them for our
customers."
"BellSouth is committed to ensuring security is an integral component
in all our products and services and working with GTISC and ISS is one way
to continue that focus with next generation products such as VoIP," said
John Heveran, VP-Chief Information Security Officer, BellSouth.
Convergence of Internet technologies with traditional
telecommunications services creates opportunities for added flexibility,
lower costs and enhanced services and applications. However, to fully
enable the benefits it is vital that any vulnerabilities be identified and
addressed early. The researchers plan to conduct a security analysis of
VoIP protocols and implementations and explore issues such as VoIP
authentication for dealing with voice spam, modeling of VoIP traffic and
device behavior, mobile phone security, and security of VoIP applications
running on user agents.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 500 communications company
headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40
percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice
and data provider with 57.3 million customers.
Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most
comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available
in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business
customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and
high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R)
Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local
and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also
offers print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow
Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth.
BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive
environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's
global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at
http://www.bellsouth.com.
About Internet Security Systems, Inc.
Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) is the trusted security advisor
to thousands of the world's leading businesses and governments, providing
preemptive protection for networks, desktops and servers. An established
leader in security since 1994, the ISS Proventia(R) integrated security
platform automatically protects against both known and unknown threats,
keeping networks up and running and shielding customers from online attacks
before they impact business assets. ISS products and services are based on
the proactive security intelligence of its X-Force(R) research and
development team - the unequivocal world authority in vulnerability and
threat research. The ISS product line is also complemented by comprehensive
Managed Security Services and Professional Security Services. For more
information, visit the Internet Security Systems Web site at http://www.iss.net or
call 800-776-2362.
About the Georgia Tech Information Security Center
The Georgia Tech Information Security Center, a National Center of
Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, is an
interdisciplinary center involving faculty from the College of Computing,
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Tech Research
Institute (GTRI), the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the
School of Public Policy. For more information, visit http://www.gtisc.gatech.edu.
SOURCE BellSouth Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.bellsouth.com
http://www.iss.net http://www.gtisc.gatech.edu
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html /
CONTACT:
Todd Smith of BellSouth, +1-404-829-8723, or
Todd.Smith@bellsouth.com ; or Elizabeth Campell of Georgia
Institute of Technology, +1-404-894-4233, or
elizabeth.campell@icpa.gatech.edu ; or Angela Frechette of
Internet Security Systems, +1-404-236-3197, or afrechette@iss.net
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