Web Traffic Assessment Service

...do you have an Internet Usage Policy?

...are you concerned that unmanaged Internet access may reduce the productivity of some employees or expose your organisation to legal liabilities?

...are you confident that all web material access through your network has been scanned for the presence of malicious code?

...do you have control over the use of Instant Messaging (IM) services within your network?

Hytec has just completed development of a Web Traffic Assessment Service.

The new service is designed for organisations concerned about enforcing their Internet Usage Policy or worried that unmanaged Internet access may reduce the productivity of some employees and potentially expose them to legal liability.

Hytec's Web Traffic Assessment identifies security threats introduced through internal usage of the Internet. Utilising the features of an advanced secure proxy appliance (Blue Coat's ProxySG), installed seamlessly within your network, we monitor your web traffic (24x7) and provide a detailed report of your Internet usage. The report will identify web content accessed, Instant Messaging (IM) abuse, and usage of browser-based applications, employee productivity issues, legal liabilities (if any), security vulnerabilities and network bandwidth issues.

Within a week, you can review your organisation's use of the Internet and identify any security threats introduced, such as:

• Web-based applications that evade common perimeter defences (such as firewalls)
• User activities that provide an open door to external threats or those that potentially compromise the confidentiality of information held
• Web content that poses a legal liability to your organisation

The service provides a realistic view of ALL web traffic. You have a baseline to understand risks and what needs monitoring and further control. You learn about user activities with web-based applications, file transfers, the presence of spyware and the use of rogue applications.

WHY PERFORM AN ASSESSMENT?

Inappropriate web content within your network may present the authority with legal liabilities. Furthermore, many websites offer a home to viruses and worms seeking the path of least resistance into your network. Employee usage of web-mail services such as Hotmail, Yahoo or MSN (that run outside your protected mail server), create further vulnerabilities.

Instant Messaging (IM) provides more than just text dialogue. Using commonly available IM services, such as AOL, Microsoft or Yahoo, employees can transfer files without being detected by existing e-mail security products. The uncontrolled use of IM presents a threat to the internal security of every network.

All Internet content that employees read, send and receive carries a risk. P2P file sharing is unique in that it has little to no value to the organisation as users transfer music and video files (often copyrighted). Imported files can carry viruses and because the P2P process is port agile, common defences like firewalls do not stop its use.

WHAT WILL THE ASSESSMENT DELIVER?

Firstly, the Assessment Service will ascertain whether internal access to the Internet is putting your organisation at risk; of security breaches, low staff productivity, legal liability or abuse of network resources.

Secondly, if you have a problem, Hytec's consultant will scope the problem and recommend appropriate remedial action.

Thirdly, if required, Hytec's consultant will conduct a cost/benefit analysis to help you justify any remedial expenditure.

Hytec Information Security Limited, (http://www.hytec.co.uk), tel. 01865 887428
9-10 Oasis Park, Eynsham, Witney, Oxon OX29 4TP