9 December 2005
More Than Just Secure
Gen-i and Telecom are to use technology developed by a Kiwi company to help in the fight against digital delinquency.
Whilst Internet security breaches are costing businesses millions, New Zealand's SMEs are also losing out to digital
delinquency, or 'cyberslacking'.
Businesses are starting to calculate the hidden costs of productivity loss and direct cost of unauthorised use of
business broadband by employees, as awareness of the effects of hackers, viruses, worms and internet fraud increases.
To counter cyberslacking and hacking, Telecom New Zealand has completed a deal with internet security technology company
Mako Networks, resulting in the launch of a broadband monitoring product, Telecom's 'SecureME, to small and medium
enterprises nation-wide.
Chris Quin General Manager of Gen-i believes the new offering provides assurance for small to medium business owners
from the risks associated with connecting and allowing staff access to the Internet. Chris sees the main difference
between SecureME with traditional solutions is the proactive manner in which the network is protected and end users kept
aware of questionable data transmission.
Mako Networks CEO Bill Farmer agrees with findings from the EMA (Northern) survey that indicated internet security
breaches were costing businesses between $140- $240 million a year, and says that the Mako product, selling in NZ, USA,
Canada, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Australia has gone a long way to address the wider internet issues that
impact on business.
Gen-i's Secure ME powered by Mako will ensure that businesses receive continual security and protection from data use
issues, easily understood real time reporting of all Internet activity on their network and the ability to easily
diagnose connectivity problems all in a simple 'plug and play' device.
Farmer says this latest deal is significant as it marks the largest local orders for the company. Mako Networks has been
supported by NZTE's High Growth Programme which has facilitated the company's UK-based Mako Networks Ltd into talks with
the IT-oriented Surrey Research Hub.
ENDS