Virtual security services offered

While security assessment services are gaining prominence alongside software products as a standard part of an overall security purchase, at least one vendor is offering virtual assessment services so that agencies don't even have to buy the software.

Patrick Taylor, vice president of the risk-assessment business unit at Internet Security Systems, said the company offers these virtual services, where scanners physically located at ISS facilities can scan a customer's network at scheduled times. Customers can access the results via the Internet, he said.

"It's an entirely virtual process," Taylor said. "No bodies come and visit to do this. It's just a different way to get the value proposition of a scanner without owning it."