Web Applications Remain a Major Source of Vulnerability for Enterprise Data Operations, New Report Finds

The Premiere Issue of Dark Reading Security Insider Assesses The Effectiveness of Web App Firewalls in Protecting Data Assets

PRNewswire
NEW YORK
May 8, 2006

Firewalls designed specifically to protect enterprise data resources from attacks by individuals and organized groups of hackers are proving effective, but enterprises can't rely solely on Web application firewalls to ensure data integrity, according to the premiere edition of Dark Reading Security Insider (www.darkreading.com/insider), a new subscription research service from CMP Media LLC and Light Reading Inc. (www.lightreading.com).

Web App Firewalls: Who's Doing What offers a thorough analysis of the product selection and deployment issues involved in using Web app firewalls to bolster protection of enterprise data from both internal and external attacks. The 14-page report identifies the products available from leading Web app firewall vendors and compares them using dozens of feature and performance specifications. Full results are presented in an easy-to-use spreadsheet format.

"Web app firewalls provide extra assurance that malicious activity can't take place," notes Mike Fratto, Editor at Large with Dark Reading and author of the report. "But at no time should a Web app firewall replace good coding and application management procedures."

  Other key findings of the report include:

  * Fixing potential Web app security problems in the Web app source code is
    the best security option, but it isn't always feasible for a number of
    technical or organizational reasons.
  * Web app security testing is a complex process that takes patience and
    skill to perform.
  * Effective use of Web app firewalls requires integration of the firewall
    into an organization's quality assurance or change control processes.

Web App Firewalls: Who's Doing What is available as part of an annual subscription (six issues) to Dark Reading Security Insider, priced at $1,295. Individual reports are available for $900.

Dark Reading Security Insider tracks, analyzes, and evaluates the key industry and technology developments that will have the biggest impact on the data and networking security industry - and by extension the entire computing and communications supply chain - in the months and years ahead. This new service offers keen insight into the hot-button issues that will affect enterprise deployment of security products and services, including:

  * Web app security
  * Corporate mobility and its impact on enterprise security practices
  * End-user security tools (anti-virus, anti-spyware)
  * Deployment of digital rights management tools
  * Detailed cost-of-ownership analyses that offer a much-needed reality
    check for enterprise decision makers

To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: www.darkreading.com/insider.

To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details of multi-user licensing options, please contact:

  Jeff Claudino
  Sales Director, Insider Research Services
  619-229-9940
  claudino@lightreading.com

  Press/analyst contact:

  Dennis Mendyk
  Managing Director, Heavy Reading
  201-587-2154
  mendyk@heavyreading.com

  About Light Reading

Reaching a core audience of more than 917,000 enterprise IT managers and executives, Light Reading Inc. publishes www.lightreading.com, the leading global content site for the telecom industry; www.byteandswitch.com, a storage networking site; www.unstrung.com, dedicated to wireless networking; and www.darkreading.com, an IT security site. Light Reading is also affiliated with www.heavyreading.com, a market research site offering quantitative analysis of telecom technology to carriers, service providers, and vendors. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005, and operates as a unit of CMP Media LLC.

About CMP Media

Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare, and lifestyles industries, CMP (www.cmp.com) has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight, and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP is a subsidiary of United Business Media (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion.

SOURCE: Light Reading Inc.

CONTACT: Jeff Claudino, Sales Director, Insider Research Services,
+1-619-229-9940, claudino@lightreading.com; Press/analyst contact: Dennis
Mendyk, Managing Director, Heavy Reading, +1-201-587-2154,
mendyk@heavyreading.com

Web site: http://www.lightreading.com/