CA launches e-security solutions for SMEs

CHENNAI: Computer Associates has launched two e-security solutions, Super
Shield and Die-hard Defender, targeting the Indian SME segment. Priced at Rs
2.25 lakhs, the Super Shield bundle comprises eTrust Firewall Enterprise
edition, eTrust Content Inspection 25 user pack and eTrust Intrusion Detection
System (IDS)-125 sessions.

The Die-hard Defender consists of eTrust Access Control in addition to eTrust
IDS 125 sessions and higher versions of eTrust firewall and content inspection.
It is priced at Rs 4.9 lakhs. This special offer for the SME segment lasts only
till September 30.

With the e-security products market in India reportedly worth $18 million, CA
now intends to obtain a substantial chunk of this segment. It hopes to carry
along its leadership position in the segment in the world into India also.

As part of its aggressive promotion, it has been conducting road shows in the
major cities and was in Chennai recently. Explaining the rationale behind
targeting the SMEs in the country, Computer Associates consulting director
Jayesh Thakkar said that technological investments were happening in the SME
segment. Hyderabad and Calcutta are to be the next stop for the roadshops.

"The SME segment is expected to spend Rs 10,000 crore on IT this year.
Of this, a substantial amount would go to software investments. We would like to
divert a substantial part of it to our e-security solutions," he said.

Road shows have been devised to sensitize the SME segment about the security
threats, both internal and external such as hacking, virus and mobile code
attacks.

"Most people think that having a firewall would secure them against all
the threats. But it cannot protect the network against virus attacks and
malicious mobile codes, though it acts like a security fence," he added.

"Though the awareness level of the SMEs on the security threat
perceptions was on the lesser side, we got a tremendous response from them on
the road shows," said Thakkar. He, however, refused to divulge the sales or
the revenue figures expected from the SME segment.