Qwest Enhances Online Security for Businesses to Protect against Productivity and Intellectual Property Losses

December 14, 2006; 04:39 AM
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced the enhancement of the Qwest suite of business class virtual private network, firewall and security services with new anti-virus/anti-spam (AVAS) solutions. Qwest AVAS gateway solutions now provide even more effective and essential e-mail protection and security services, safeguarding companies from receiving unsolicited e-mail, viruses, worms and unwanted content at the customers’ external network perimeter.

A recent local survey by Impulse Research shows that almost one in three Atlanta-area businesses have been impacted by a network virus. Eighty-three percent of Atlanta respondents reported that viruses have accounted for up to a half day of downtime, another 10 percent indicate that as much as a whole day of productivity was lost, and 23 percent indicate that the corresponding loss in productivity represented more than 10 percent of the business’s daily revenue. Sixty-eight percent of Atlanta businesses also reported that unsolicited “spam” e-mail is a problem. For one in four Atlanta respondents, as much as 25 percent of all e-mail received is spam.

Qwest AVAS uses award-winning technology to provide multiple layers of defense that are cost-effective, comprehensive and easy-to-use. The managed solution is customizable to suit individual business needs and offers an online customer management portal that lets customers control thresholds, reporting, filtering and account preferences.

According to the Yankee Group, security breaches of e-mail and other messages cost enterprises millions of dollars in downtime, productivity loss, intellectual property loss and system rebuilds. Almost 42 percent of U.S. respondents to the Yankee Group 2005 Security Leaders and Laggards Survey said they had experienced a virus outbreak that disrupted more than one business unit. An additional 19 percent had also experienced disruptions that affected only one business unit. In the Impulse poll, Atlanta-area businesses reported 29 percent of disruptions affected one business unit, and another 20 percent indicated that multiple business units were impacted.

The enhanced Qwest AVAS solutions – available nationwide – are geared toward small- and medium-sized businesses and government and education organizations, the majority of customers in the country. The services will provide tangible benefits when added to a variety of Qwest services, including Qwest iQ Networking® service, a converged networking platform, or Qwest OneFlex® Internet protocol voice products.

“Online security is one of the most important considerations customers should factor in to their network service choices,” said Dan Yost, executive vice president for product and marketing at Qwest. “Qwest AVAS services provide the constant vigilance needed to ensure business continuity and network security.”

With Qwest AVAS gateway solutions, customers make a simple change to their mail exchange record pointing it to a Qwest-specified network mail exchange record. All e-mail is then filtered through the Qwest anti-virus/anti-spam service before reaching the end-user. By providing this gateway, Qwest offers business customers the latest in spam protection and blocking, quarantine options and virus protection with 24-hour support.

The AVAS services are available to businesses nationwide via Qwest Business Markets Group. Qwest Business Markets Group is responsible for the sales, marketing and delivery of voice, data and IP communications services to hundreds of thousands of Qwest's business customers, from small businesses to global enterprises. The group includes more than 3,000 employees who interact daily with Qwest customers. To contact a Qwest customer account manager in your area, please contact 1-877-816-8550 or visit www.qwest.com/largebusiness.

About Qwest

Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers – locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest’s industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.qwest.com.