Verizon Business probes cloud security issues

Verizon Business, the unit of Verizon Communications Inc. that provides telecommunications and network services to the federal government, is examining network security issues in cloud computing and network management.

Verizon announced this week that under the General Services Administration’s Connections contract, it is now offering Symark International Inc.’s PowerSeries security access management software and applications.

The telecommunications company also is integrating those security capabilities for Unix and Linux servers and systems into its portfolio of security solutions for government customers. The new services are aimed at helping federal agencies comply with access control and accountability requirements of updated Federal Information Security Management Act regulations.

Verizon acquired an identity management solution in July 2007 with its purchase of Cybertrust, a Herndon, Va., IT security company.

“Adding Symark’s PowerSeries solutions [to the identity management product] enables Verizon Business to even more comprehensively help agencies manage user activities and address insider threats,” said Susan Zeleniak, group president of Verizon Federal, in a statement.

Verizon Business has joined the Cloud Security Alliance, an IT industry group formed to promote best practices in cloud computing security assurance and provide education on uses of cloud computing.

“The Cloud Security Alliance has taken on a critical role in the industry to encourage security in the cloud,” Michael Marcellin, vice president of Verizon’s global managed solutions, said in a news release.

As one of fewer than 20 corporate members of CSA, Verizon Business “will provide input and guidance on what makes for strong cloud-computing security practices,” the company statement said.

CSA also gives Verizon a chance to use its clout as a major cloud computing services provider to help shape best practices and weigh in on new research into cloud computing security issues.

Verizon Business is the only GSA Networx contract holder so far to join the nine-month-old CSA.

Verizon Communications, of New York City, ranks No. 16 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.