InsureTrust.com and Internet Security Systems Form Alliance

Building on its existing, Internet Security Systems (ISS) has entered into a strategic alliance with InsureTrust.com that will offer insurance brokers an opportunity to provide a complete end-to-end risk mitigation and management for companies seeking e-business insurance.

The program is aimed at the rapidly growing small and medium e-business markets, and delivers a complete risk management service rather than an "insurance only" or "security only" stand-alone service, the Atlanta-based firms say.

"This program is directed toward companies that are experiencing rapid growth in revenue, headcount, physical infrastructure and possibly global operations," said Steve Haase, chief executive officer of InsureTrust.com. "These firms understand the rewards and risks of e-business, but want to mitigate and manage that risk in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible."

The insurance program will involve risk assessments, which includes ISS' security design, deployment, a re-assessment program designed to ensure that clients are maintaining sound security practices, optional managed security services, and education through ISS SecureU.

InsureTrust.com can place the critical layer of insurance to round out the risk mitigation and management process. Companies opting for the ISS and InsureTrust.com product will be eligible for lower insurance premiums and could receive additional discounts based upon technical staff completion of ISS certified security education courses.

"The ability to provide security solutions to the small and middle markets is just as critical as serving Global 2000 companies. These businesses are less likely to have the financial ability to maintain a constant watch over their critical assets, and are more vulnerable to risk as a result," said Greg Grant, director of market strategy and development for Internet Security Systems. "We are pleased to have InsureTrust as a partner and look forward to making this offering available to world-class brokers."

An insurance applicant could expect the following to occur upon applying for the e-business insurance:

• The process begins with a comprehensive risk assessment, which includes ISS' standards-based information security methodology. In a typical scenario, security remediation steps may be necessary to bring a company up to a minimum acceptable level of security before the policy can be written.

• Once the initial assessment and remediation process is complete, InsureTrust.com can place the critical component of e-business insurance to round out the primary phase of the risk management service.

• In addition, Internet Security Systems delivers a phased security implementation plan that guides the business through each critical phase of the security implementation process, and frequently monitors (through re-assessments and InsureTrust.com audits) the level of progress made by each insurance client.

The companies say their alliance delivers several advantages for the small and medium business market and their insurance brokers looking to mitigate their online risk. First, it directly addresses the growing demand for affordable e-business insurance by extending end-to-end information security that meets InsureTrust.com's insurability standard for reduced rates.

Second, it meets the need for delivering complete risk management services rather than an "insurance only" component that only transfers risk but does not address the issue of security threats and vulnerabilities.

Most important, they say, the program delivers continuous security management and monitoring to ensure both clients and underwriters that security policies and practices are being implemented and that vigilance is being maintained around the clock. The program is immediately available to companies that apply and qualify.