Posted by Virus Bulletin on Feb 15, 2004
NAI makes plans, Symantec acquires software manufacturer, Sophos receives royal visitors
Network Associates Inc. (NAI) has unveiled plans to provide its customers with information and updates on software vulnerabilities. Initially the company will provide public statements on the severity of vulnerabilities, but it plans to expand the program into a comprehensive information service which will include real-time email alerts, daily summaries and web-based tools. Each vulnerability will be assigned one of five risk ratings ranging from 'low' to 'hyper-critical'. The level will be determined according to an estimate of the number of vulnerable machines, the likelihood that malware will be written to exploit the vulnerability and the potential for that exploit to travel widely via a worm. The initial phase of the program is scheduled to start in March/April 2004, with the more extensive service planned for later in the second quarter of this year. The company has not revealed whether the service will carry an additional charge for customers.
Last month Symantec completed the acquisition of management software manufacturer ON Technology. Symantec will incorporate ON Technology's software distribution and configuration management capabilities into an end-to-end system designed to help customers build, manage, and protect their IT infrastructures.
February was also a busy month for Sophos: as well as opening its North American virus lab in Massachusetts, the company's UK-based global headquarters received a visit from Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Phillip.
Posted on 15 February 2004 by Virus Bulletin
