RALEIGH, NC – September 21, 2009 – Professional services firm WireHead Security [1]TM (www.wireheadsecurity.com [1]) today introduced version 1.0 of Infosec Island [1]TM. Infosec Island is a new online community designed especially for IT and network professionals who manage information security, risk and compliance issues. The infosec community went live today following two months of beta testing with early members and partners. It combines an online community, infosec portal, social network and managed services platform all in one.
Infosec Island provides its members with a unique set of benefits, including infosec news and information, built-in social networking capabilities, relevant content based on personalized organizational views, free security tools and premium Web-based security services. Infosec Island is the first secure infosec community featuring not only SSL-based security, but additional options for highly secure message/file transfer (and coming in Q4, enhanced authentication) for its members. Membership is free.
“Online communities are a valuable resource for IT professionals with a common interest and common set of problems," said Paula Musich, senior analyst in enterprise security at Current Analysis in Sterling, VA. "Given the huge growth in the frequency and sophistication of security threats, coupled with very limited budgets, SMBs in particular can benefit from communities that are focused on basic threat and vulnerability management issues.”
The first premium service, available now on Infosec Island, is IslandPKI TM, an easy-to-use solution for encrypting sensitive records and documents to share them safely via the Web. IslandPKI, which takes the complexity out of using public key infrastructure (PKI) encryption technology (please see separate release [1]), is now offered on a 60-day free trial basis to Infosec Island members. IslandPKI subscribers will pay a low, flat fee of $25 per user/per month for this unique service. IslandPKI was developed for Infosec Island by WireHead Security and Austin, TX-based Media Sourcery [1], makers of the AppMobilizer and PortalMobilizer security solutions.
The first free tools – also available now – include a DNS Security Tool that allows members to check their name servers for common configuration errors, and an SSL Certificate Checker Tool (from SSLLabs) that allows members to likewise check their SSL certificates for errors.
“Time is money. As IT professionals, we know how important it is to have the right information at your fingertips when you need it most,” said Jeff Howlett, CIO of Meredith College [1] (www.meredith.edu [1]) in Raleigh, NC. “Infosec Island attracts us as members because saving time reduces the cost of guarding against security threats and makes our security efforts more successful. By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of preventative measures, over the long run Infosec Island will help us to lower our exposure to security risks.”
Commented Michael Menefee, president of WireHead Security, “Day in and day out, infosec professionals work for the common good to keep online thieves and fraudsters in check. By necessity, the culture of the infosec community is to share advice, solutions and warnings about new threats.” Menefee, who is head of the North Carolina chapter of OWASP, (the Open Web Application Security Project [1]) added that, “Nowhere is the need greater than among the smaller organizations, nonprofits and government agencies that must identify, analyze and track their network vulnerabilities and remediate them at a time of extreme pressure on budgets. Infosec Island will provide a rich community offering value beyond mere content aggregation, extending to smart advice and as many free and cost-effective tools as possible for supporting security professionals as they work to fight off attacks.”
Infosec Island makes it easy, quick and simple for IT/security pros at SMBs to find practical information security help, uniquely offering members the following benefits:
– A combination of infosec portal, online community, social network and managed services platform all in one;
– Relevant content delivered on an individual member profile basis;
– Allows members to securely share their product- and vendor-neutral expertise and other information with their peers;
– Social networking functionality "baked in" from start (not just bolted on);
– A new twist on the advertising-supported Web site model, with both free tools and premium security services;
– Meaningful, relevant technical advice;
– Free tools and services that help assess and guard against security risks, threats and other vulnerabilities; and,
– Optional premium tools and services that offer members the added value of increased efficiency for their security efforts through time savings, reduced cost or added convenience, flexibility or insight.
About Infosec Island
Infosec Island [1] is a new type of online community designed specifically for IT professionals who manage security, risk and compliance. Unlike other infosec portals, it combines the benefits of IT security portals and social networking into a single, vendor-neutral community. Infosec Island members improve their organization’s security, save time and reduce their costs by taking advantage of a unique set of benefits, including infosec news and information, built-in social networking capabilities, relevant content based on personalized organizational views, free security tools and premium Web-based security services. Infosec Island is the first secure infosec community featuring not only SSL-based security, but additional options for higher security levels. Membership is free.
Developed by professional services firm WireHead Security (www.wireheadsecurity.com [1]), Infosec Island focuses on several industry sectors, including higher education, K-12, government, banking and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, scientific research and other SMB enterprises. Based in Raleigh, NC, WireHead Security enables its clients to reduce their business risks by remediating dangerous and costly information security weaknesses. The company delivers high-quality security solutions and consulting services [1] that help organizations combat threats and institute policies and procedures to safeguard their security. WireHead Security LLC is privately held and was founded in January 2009. More information can be found on the Web at http://www.infosecisland.com [1]. You can follow Infosec Island on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InfosecIsland [1], or follow Mike Menefee’s blog at http://www.hackyourself.net [1].
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Infosec Island, IslandPKI and WireHead Security are trademarks of WireHead Security LLC.