Verizon has acquired Cybertrust, creating what Verizon claims is the world's largest government and big business managed security operation. The move will see the telecoms giant subsume Cybertrust's slew of products and services, including identity management, managed security services, vulnerability and threat management, as well as security certification programs. The firm will also get its hands on ICSA Labs, which claims to certify 95 per cent of deployed security software.
Verizon's announcement is the latest in a series of telecom companiesbuying security services providers to boost their offerings. MCI (nowVerizon-owned) bought Netsec in 2005 and BT Group bought Counterpane inAugust 2006.
Industry analysts were cautious about the deal, pointing to potentialintegration issues between the two businesses - Verizon already hasseveral managed security services businesses through the MCIacquisition.
"To realize the security-related and economic benefits of the combinedMSS operations, Verizon Business will need to move to a unified servicedelivery platform," a Gartner analysis said. "Buyers of securityservices look for security expertise, and senior management looks forbusiness issue acumen. Telcos are usually not the first option foreither of these buyer segments, nor are telcos typically the firstchoice of employer for experienced security consultants. Verizon islikely to suffer significant brain drain."
