CRN

ATTACK ON THE U.S.: THE AFTERMATH 
Technology Solutions
Protective Services, Collaboration Draw Interest 

By Kristen Kenedy 
Sept. 21, 2001 

As some solution providers help businesses recover in Manhattan, others are bringing a host of technology, including redundant connections, data backup products, videoconferencing and wireless networking, to help their clients better protect assets and continue to do business in the wake of the tragedy.

Despite the economic fallout from the terrorist attacks, solution providers said they expect an almost immediate spike in a wide array of technology solutions and business continuity audits. There is also a marked increase in disaster recovery. 
Although the United States sustained physical attacks on buildings, terrorists also could target corporate data, according to solution providers. 

Roger Blohm, director of managed services at Satel, a Salt Lake City security solution provider, said the first step in protection is to assess the access to a company's critical systems and then develop an appropriate solution for safeguarding them. That can include basic security technology, such as firewalls and intrusion-detection systems, as well as data backup and recovery. Some solution providers also expect to help better secure public facilities, such as airports. 

Raj Nanavati, a partner at International Biometric Group, New York, said biometrics could provide stronger authentication for ticketing and boarding passengers as well as for airport personnel. Biometrics also could be used at airports for surveillance, he added. 

As corporate air travel grinds to a halt, videoconferencing solutions also are on the rise. Neil Isford, CEO of e-services firm Plural, which recently relocated its New York office at 115 Broadway, said videoconferences will function as a standby as the country assesses travel safety. 

One of the things this tragedy will create is more interest in things like video-conferencing and collaborative learning," Isford said. "That way, you can work together without having to travel quite as much." Larry Beaudoin, an account executive at network integrator Sage Computer Associates, Albany, N.Y., said although Sage Computer and other solution providers are approaching customers tentatively, there's no question that requests for secure Internet connections, disaster recovery and data backup services will soon rise. "There are companies that are just gone," Beaudoin said. "This could happen to anyone, anywhere." 

Solution providers said companies have been reticent to dedicate resources for protective services, particularly in a weak economy. But they said the Sept. 11 attacks may compel corporate executives to action. 
"We as a country usually don't implement [protective technology] until something has happened," said Leonard Zavala, president and CEO of Universal Access Consulting, Parsippany, N.J. "Most people don't buy an alarm system until they get burglarized." 

For smaller companies, Universal Access may start with something as simple as antivirus protection, Zavala said. Sage Computer, meanwhile, will be recommending off-site data backup for small businesses, "even if it means backing up data on a Zip drive and bringing it home at night," Beaudoin said. Derrell James, vice president of global infrastructure services at Perot Systems, said the Dallas integrator is being overwhelmed with requests for business continuity audits. Perot Systems also is spending more time with customers on security.