IBM today introduced the new IBM Telecom Integrated Solution for Security to optimize security systems operations and simplify management for both fixed and mobile environments.

Unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona, Spain, the IBM Telecom Integrated Solution for Security is an integrated hardware, software, and services framework for communications service providers to deliver carrier-grade network services free of malicious traffic

The key components of the solution include BladeCenter, Proventia Intrusion Detection, Tivoli Security Operations Manager, the Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus products, along with hardware and software from IBM Business Partners.

Both businesses and consumers are demanding more defenses be incorporated into their voice, video, and Internet services, according to IBM. Mobile viruses like the Symbian OS worm have been actively spreading on mobile phone networks worldwide, proving they are no longer theoretical in nature and more dangerous than ever before. A recent IBM survey showed more service providers are realizing the value of security as a strategic differentiator in a fiercely competitive market. Yet fewer than half of IBM's survey respondents (46 percent) said their companies had a strategy in place for mitigating security risks posed by next generation networks.

"The delivery of new IP services cannot come at expense of security considerations," said Mike Hill, general manager of IBM's Telecommunications Industry department. "Consumers have high expectations for rigorous security and won't compromise as they interact with more and more mobile content. Security services are a key way for service providers to add value to their IP service offerings, and IBM is focused on simplifying and accelerating this capability for our customers worldwide," he said.

As service providers migrate from disparate infrastructures to an all digital, IP-based information flow, many are seeking to streamline and consolidate multiple security functions, reducing space requirements as they transform security operations, according to IBM.

Consolidating multiple appliances helps create a security "backplane" that brings together all security requirements into a single framework that enables service providers to realize greater performance and network resiliency at multiple levels, said IBM. IBM BladeCenter provides the foundation for this new security backplane, helping to reduce complexity and costs associated with appliance sprawl, the company said. As an industry leading platform designed for converged IT and networking services, BladeCenter brings together leading multicore microprocessors, 10Gb networking, a multi-terrabit backplane and storage capabilities with new extensions like network processor blades, deep packet inspection blades, and flow control switching and management.

"With the increasing convergence of IT and Telecommunications, we see IBM BladeCenter as a leading platform to deliver Service Innovation in the market place," said Matt Bross, chief technology officer, BT Group.

The new solution-which has evolved from IBM's prior Core Infrastructure Security Solution-offers a standard deployment approach on IBM hardware with software and services, combined with a set of third party security applications specifically designed for service providers.

In addition to BladeCenter, key elements of the Telecom Integrated Solution for Security include:

·      IBM Proventia Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) for BladeCenter: This new framework for IBM Internet Security Systems' flagship threat management product gives carriers a flexible, scalable option for deploying IPS technology to protect their own infrastructure and to offer "in the cloud" protection as a service to their customers. Proventia's implementation within the solution halts attacks closer to their point of origin, preserving available bandwidth for productive computing.

·      IBM Tivoli Security Operations Manager: IBM Tivoli Security Operations Manager software provides a real-time dashboard to help customers keep their computer networks and systems up and running despite security threats from malicious outsiders, employees, or contractors. The software leverages autonomic capabilities to analyze data from throughout an IT environment to detect security threats, optimizing and automating the process of incident recognition, investigation and response.

·      IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus consolidates network and IT operations under a single fault monitoring solution to help organizations improve the availability of their applications and services. The software provides real-time service views, quickly identifies problems before they cause costly outages, and features advanced capabilities for automating corrective actions to common problems.

·      Compliance and security consulting: From architecture and design services to policy development, assessments, staff augmentation and support for regulatory compliance efforts, the IBM Professional Security Services portfolio provides a holistic approach to the full lifecycle of threat mitigation.

·      IBM Managed Security Services: IBM also provides a comprehensive portfolio of managed services to both augment carriers' security operations and enable carriers to sell security services to their customers.

The single framework supports a range of telecom security services, such as DDoS protection, intrusion prevention/detection, firewall, virtual private networks (VPN), deep packet inspection, messaging security, and email security.

A series of IBM Business Partners, including leading independent software vendors and independent hardware vendors, are aligning with IBM to enable service providers to choose the components that best fit their needs over time. Examples include: Arbor Networks, Check Point Software Technologies, Cloudmark, CloudShield Technologies, and Continuous Computing as well as IBM Internet Security Systems.

"By bringing together its broad capabilities under this universal security initiative, IBM is providing a powerful resource to help telecommunications companies simultaneously manage threats far more effectively," said Paul Morville, vice president of product management, Arbor Networks. "We look forward to working with IBM to advance the Telecom Integrated Solution for Security with our global telecommunications customers."

Additionally, CloudShield Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of advanced service control and infrastructure security solutions, is providing a carrier-class deep packet inspection solution for the BladeCenter family. "This relationship is evidence of our core focus on providing multi-function service control and security to service providers around the world," said Matt Jones, president and CEO at CloudShield.

Based on growing demand from telco clients to speed secure product and service introductions, IBM has also established the Telecom Security Centre within the Telecom Solutions Laboratory in Montpellier, France, to showcase the IBM Telecom Integrated Solution for Security along with its partners.

For more information, please visit www.ibm.com/telecom.