Employee Training For Improved Security Posture

28 September 2004

Symantec Education Services Program Emphasises Employee Training For Improved Security Posture

New Curriculum Provides Tools for Regulatory Compliance and Security Awareness

Symantec Corp., (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in Internet security, today announced availability of the Symantec Security Awareness Program, Symantec’s new and improved comprehensive set of training and communication tools. The program is designed to help companies meet regulatory requirements for employee security awareness training while reducing vulnerabilities and creating a more security-conscious workforce.

Many employees in today’s workforce are not aware that they play an important role in their organisation’s security. According to META Group research, 75 percent of organisations identify a lack of user awareness as moderately or severely reducing the effectiveness of their current program. Additionally, 66 percent cite executive awareness as a concern. The Symantec Security Awareness Program gives employees the knowledge they need to better protect critical corporate information and other valuable assets. The program provides a series of interactive computer-based tutorials and supplemental communication tools such as screen savers and ready-to-print pamphlets, reference cards, and posters.

These strong supporting materials allow customers to tailor the program to meet their specific needs. Organisations can insert their own logo in all of the program materials to reinforce an official identity with their security awareness program. Based on security industry best practices and international security standards embodied in ISO 17799, the program includes robust user administration and data management, with testing, tracking, and reporting functions to help measure employee participation and knowledge retention.

Administrators can easily determine when employees need additional training, as well as specific topics that should be emphasised. “Enterprise security departments face a challenging task of creating security awareness among a widely distributed workforce. The Symantec Security Awareness Program provides a comprehensive set of tools designed to reduce information security risks by educating employees at all levels of the workforce,” said Richard Batchelar, country manager, Symantec New Zealand. “Tracking and reporting features allow organisations to implement and track the program as a sustained communication initiative for long-lasting, security-focused results.” Symantec consultants are available to provide a full range of additional services such as communication needs analysis, security policy development, awareness program customisation, or complete security awareness program management.

The program helps create a corporate culture that ensures employees actively participate in protecting an organisation’s critical information assets from exploitation, cyber attacks, unauthorised access, and fraud. By influencing behaviour at all levels of the workforce, the Symantec Security Awareness Program enables companies to better manage threats to proprietary information. Symantec Education Services provides technical product training, vendor-neutral security education, and employee security awareness programs so enterprises can better protect vital information.

These programs enable organisations to optimise the operation and administration of security systems, effectively address business risks, and reduce security issues with a more conscientious workforce.

About Symantec Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec’s Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at http://www.symantec.com. ###

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ENDS

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