IBM’s New Security Software Helps Smaller Companies Thwart Insider Threats

IBM’s New Security Software Helps Smaller Companies Thwart Insider Threats

IBM today announced new security software to help small and mid-sized businesses — from local credit unions to health clinics — deal with security threats by helping stop unauthorized access to sensitive company data. The software, Tivoli Identity Manager Express, will bring big-business identity management capabilities to smaller companies, but in a more affordable version that even non-IT experts can install and manage.

IBM’s new software helps thwart insider attacks by blocking user accounts that a company has neglected to cancel when employees or contractors are dismissed or voluntarily leave a company. More than 60% of user accounts consist of these so-called “orphan accounts,” according to IBM studies. With Tivoli Identity Manager Express, smaller businesses can eliminate orphan accounts by enabling managers to control who has access to information, and continuously match the pool of user accounts with current employee and contractor listings.

Small businesses are prone to the same security threats as larger companies, but they often lack the large IT budgets or trained technical staff to set up identity management systems. Their entire security safety net may consist of antivirus software or a network firewall — leaving the “digital back door” open to fired employees or dishonest contractors to access confidential financial or customer information. According to IBM studies, insider attacks are expected be a top security threat for 2006 because criminals are taking advantage of unclosed user accounts that linger after layoffs, mergers and acquisitions.

Read the complete Press Release