Verizon Business Launches Enhanced IT Security Consulting Services to Help Businesses Identify and Protect Their Data

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- To help businesses identify and protect their data wherever it flows, Verizon Business has launched an enhanced and expanded version of its IT security consulting services.

The services, called Data Discovery, Identification and Security Classification (DDISC), address a key security issue for businesses: the heightened risk they face because they often do not know where all of their data resides in today's highly connected business world, or even what the data contains.

In fact, for two-thirds of the data involved in breaches that Verizon Business investigated in its "2009 Data Breach Investigations Report," the breached organization did not know the data even existed on its systems.

The DDISC services -- which are immediately available in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region -- discover, identify and classify data stored on a business' servers and extended network linking customers, partners and suppliers. As part of the services, expert Verizon business IT security consultants review the relevance and sensitivity of the data, and compare it with the enterprise customer's business goals. This information is then used to determine whether the company is handling and securing its data appropriately.

Verizon's DDISC also helps organizations manage compliance with security standards and regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA).

Previously, Verizon Business had offered its security consulting services to businesses on a custom basis. To create DDISC, Verizon Business standardized and strengthened these services to ensure uniformity across its global security practice.

"We believe this approach represents a change in security strategy as the industry increasingly sees security as much more than the protection of networks or applications," said Dr. Peter Tippett, vice president of innovation and technology at Verizon Business. "Our new consulting services reflect this shift and take a data-centric approach to security that emphasizes the business value of information and its potential impact on the organization."

Irida Xheneti, security services research analyst at IDC, said, "As corporate and customer information has become a critical asset, securing the path this information travels is critical for many businesses. Organizations, however, are struggling to even locate where the information resides and then prioritize it accordingly. Through its new service, Verizon Business is enabling enterprises to protect critical information while also assisting them in building a proactive, risk-based approach to IT security."

Verizon Cybertrust Security
Verizon Data Discovery, Identification and Security Classification joins the company's robust portfolio of security solutions, aimed at helping enterprises and government agencies manage security risk and protect critical company assets. The portfolio includes governance risk and compliance solutions, data loss and prevention solutions, identity management solutions, and managed security services. The company's more than 1,100 security professionals around the globe deliver these offerings through a range of managed services, professional services and technologies, based on what best suits the customer. More information is available by visiting http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/products/security.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.