Security as a Service

Helsinki, Finland - October 11, 2003

The customers of Internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile operators are concerned about harmful content on their home computers and mobile devices. They have learned to expect secure access to networks and services from everywhere, but organizing and managing protection against the numerous forms of harmful content in today’s complex telecom environments is a complicated task.

The latest network worms can attack and navigate networks independently – no user action is required. Harmful content exists also for mobile terminals. Possible threats range from malformatted SMS and MMS messages and trojan horses to denial of service attacks and unauthorized network access.

Internet users and mobile subscribers should not be troubled with security any more than is absolutely necessary. The burden of installing and updating security applications should be taken out of their hands.

The easiest and the most efficient way for an operator to accomplish this is to offer the required protection as an outsourced service, which allows distribution of the security software and updates automatically over the Internet. In the case of mobile devices, the security applications can also be pre-installed to terminals before distribution.

“It is the responsibility of the operators and hardware manufacturers to help their customers to get protection against harmful content. The success of our security services with the biggest Internet service providers in Europe proves that PC users prefer the subscription-based security service model to traditional software licensing. The same model will be dominant in the mobile telecom business, where the operators are starting to offer similar protection for the users of mobile terminals”, said Risto Siilasmaa, President and CEO of F-Secure Corporation.

F-Secure anticipated the need for the operator security services and built the required protection to meet the challenge. Today, F-Secure offers the most comprehensive operator antivirus service solution in the market.

A remotely managed antivirus with integrated firewall makes it simple for ISPs and network administrators to extend security beyond the network to desktops and laptops. For mobile operators, a wireless antivirus service is preventive insurance against terminal downtime, negative customer experience, end user support load, and slow adoption of new services.

A mobile antivirus client also blocks undesired messages and applications, and can be used to restore the functionality of infected terminals. Antivirus solutions also offer protection against content quality problems and repudiation costs due to new types of harmful content, such as malicious Java code.

Security of services is one of the key distinctive factors between operators. F-Secure has a long history of successful ISP cooperation. Many service providers, such as Nordnet/Wanadoo, Deutsche Telekom and TeliaSonera, have already implemented the F-Secure security service solution. The next step will be the commercial launch of the mobile services. Several security service pilots are currently on-going with mobile operators. Through the partnership with F-Secure, the ISPs and mobile operators grow the average revenue per user while taking a more pro-active approach to protection.

About F-Secure

F-Secure Corporation is the leading provider of centrally managed security solutions for the mobile enterprise. The company's award-winning products include antivirus and network security solutions for major platforms from desktops to servers and from laptops to handhelds. Founded in 1988, F-Secure has been listed on the Helsinki Exchanges since November 1999. The company is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with the North American headquarters in San Jose, California, as well as offices in Germany, Sweden, Japan and the United Kingdom and regional offices in the USA. F-Secure is supported by a network of value added resellers and distributors in over 90 countries around the globe. Through licensing and distribution agreements, the company’s security applications are available for the products of the leading handheld equipment manufacturers, such as Nokia.

For more information, please contact:

F-Secure Corporation (Finland Pavilion, Stand 1241 in Hall 1)

Matias Impivaara, Manager, New Business Development
P.O. Box 24
FIN-00181 Helsinki, Finland
Tel +358 9 2520 5318
Fax +358 9 2520 5015
Matias.Impivaara@F-Secure.com