Businesses Set to Benefit as BT Safeguards Privacy of Online Communication
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TORONTO, Nov. 8 -- BT today opened up the benefits of cost- effective online communications for businesses by launching two new encryption solutions that guarantee privacy to the strictest regulatory standards.
BT's new Secure Mail and Encrypted Message Exchange (BT EMX) services will run on LogicaCMG's globally managed and dedicated ASP (application services provider) platform, allowing businesses to communicate directly with customers, employees and partners via secure email or internet portals. The technology, based on public key infrastructure (PKI), is designed to run on existing infrastructures. Businesses, previously hampered by privacy concerns enshrined in regulatory programmes like the EU Data Protection Directive, can now slash costs and build new revenue-generating services by turning to secure and convenient online communications.
"Every business knows that online communication is fast, convenient and cost-effective," says Ray Stanton, the global head of BT's business continuity, security and governance practice. "But heavily regulated management teams, in industries like financial services, government and healthcare, have simply refused to risk exposing private details without watertight safeguards. Today we can finally offer businesses all the benefits without the unwanted risks."
Business users can now send and receive sensitive information, such as bank statements, business tenders and bills, over the public internet without fear of security or privacy breaches. A simple click of a "secure" button downloaded to an existing email system will encrypt the message until it reaches the intended recipient.
The simplicity of both Secure Mail and Encrypted Message Exchange, both powered by Echoworx, a leading software security provider, make them attractive to businesses that have generally found digital certificates too difficult to implement and use. Despite the clear benefits only one-fifth of UK companies have employed digital certificates to safeguard their electronic communications.(1)
Many businesses will favour the Secure Mail option when sending email messages to employees and trading partners. For example, a sensitive tender process needs absolute security and privacy. The Encrypted Message Exchange is more suitable for businesses communicating with large numbers of users via a secure web portal, setup either as part of an intranet or extranet. One such example application could involve a bank transacting securely and privately with its small business customers.
Judith Halkerston, managing director, UK telecom business at LogicaCMG, comments: "Businesses are increasingly operating in a minefield when it comes to digital security. In addition to deploying anti-virus and anti-spam solutions, they also need to guarantee that their email communications are private and secure. The business search for an effective but simple secure email and internet encryption solution is finally over."
*(1) DTI Information Security Breaches Survey 2006
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services; local, national and international telecommunications services; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc's revenue was 20,223 million pounds Sterling with profit before taxation of 2,484 million pounds.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit http://www.bt.com/aboutbt
For further information about BT
Enquiries about this news release can be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
About LogicaCMG
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT and business services. It employs around 40,000 people across 41 countries. LogicaCMG's focus is on enabling its customers to build and maintain leadership positions using LogicaCMG's deep industry knowledge and its track record for successful delivery. The company provides business consulting, systems integration and IT and business process outsourcing across diverse markets including telecoms and media, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext (Amsterdam) (LSE: LOG; Euronext: LOG) and traded on the Xternal List of the Nordic Exchange in Stockholm. More information is available at logicacmg.com
For further information on LogicaCMG
Sarah Griffiths,
Logica CMG,
Tel: +44 20 7446 5387
or email: sarah.griffiths@logicacmg.com
Hannah Williams,
Trimedia Harrison Cowley,
Tel: +44 7400 5597
or email: hannah.williams@trimediahc.com
About Echoworx
Echoworx is a provider of security solutions for enhancing privacy and trust in digital communications. Echoworx product suite of privacy applications leverages the power of Echoworx Secure Services (ESS) platform. All data is encrypted using industry trusted standard PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) and S/MIME technologies for strong encryption and digital signatures, relying on standard X.509 certificates. The ESS platform is hosted by global Application Service Provider partners of Echoworx and manages the digital certificates for Echoworx's data privacy applications which include: Secure Mail, Secure DOX, Encrypted Document Presentment, and Encrypted Message eXchange. Echoworx products are currently offered by leading communication providers that include: AT&T, IBM, LogicaCMG, Telus, Tiscali, Rogers, and Verizon. Visit www.echoworx.com
Source: Echoworx
CONTACT:
Stefanie Nastou
of Echoworx Corporation,
+1-416-226-8610,
pr@echoworx.com;
Web site: www.echoworx.com/
http://www.bt.com/aboutbt
http://logicacmg.com/
