Computer Associates announced it is extending its recently launched Worldwide Internet Service Provider (ISP) Partner Program to the Arab countries and Pakistan, in an effort to help regional ISPs tackle growing security threats targeting Internet users while reducing service support costs.
“Across the Middle East, ISPs have started to make security their top priority due to the increasing volume of malicious attacks on PC users which when unchecked, wreak havoc for both the ISPs and their customers,” said Aadil Ishfaq, business development manager at CA in the Arab countries and Pakistan. “To give you an example of how serious security has become, the CA Security Advisor research team documents from 400 to 600 new viruses every month, but in October 2004 alone, CA Security Advisor documented over 1,200 new and unique instances of spyware. Infections and spyware not only affect customer satisfaction levels and loyalty, they also degrade the networks performance and increase downtime for users.”
The program is being rolled out worldwide as a result of the increasing needs of the ISPs to provide their customers with effective security tools, as well as increased customer demand resulting from the program’s proven success. CA’s eTrust security software is used by many of the largest ISPs worldwide and is currently available to more than 10 million ISP users in the United States alone.
CA developed its ISP Partner Program in response to the growing demand of consumers needing security protection through their ISP. The program also helps ISPs realize operational efficiencies and cost savings, while delivering world-class security software to combat online threats such as viruses, spyware, spam, phishing, hackers and identity theft.
“Security isn’t just a value-add for ISPs anymore, it is a necessary and expected service. We are seeing more and more requests by leading ISPs in the Arab region for customized solutions as they are seeing the ROI benefits firsthand by international ISPs that have adopted security solutions and have maintained high customer satisfaction levels that help maintain retention, and revenue,” Ishfaq added. “Through the ISP Partner Program, we are now able to deliver this established and successful program to ISPs in the region.”