Avaya eyes Euro VARs

Networking vendor will use channel to push security message across the Continent

Networking vendor Avaya is hoping to use the channel to push its new security message across Europe, and has claimed its strategy will provide good opportunities for resellers.

Dan Kaminsky, principal security consultant at Avaya's global services business, said its Enterprise Security Practice is aimed at securing voice, data and converged communications.

"Security is about reliability under threat, not just data. With IP telephony [IPT] the phones are very intelligent, but their servers are running on a network so they are just as vulnerable to an attack," he said.

Kaminsky claimed Avaya's Enterprise Security Practice can protect against unauthorised network access and use of critical enterprise resources, and compromises of data integrity across network infrastructures.

Cat Maben, services offer manager EMEA at Avaya, said the channel will play an important role in spreading Avaya's security message.

"We are focusing our EMEA security offering through our partners, and we are looking to engage with resellers that want to complement what they already have," she said.

"Normally a customer's security practice is internal and it doesn't look at the IP side. However, this will help our partners to encourage firms to implement secure IPT while providing them with a full network capability."

Paul Began, pre-sales consultant at Avaya partner Sabio, said: "With the emergence of convergence, voice systems have become vulnerable to hackers and viruses, and most security vendors concentrate on data security and have a blinkered view when it comes to voice issues.

"Avaya brings experience of the voice world to the security arena and can provide support of both voice and data security.

"The convergence marketplace is still evolving and the competition has heated up, but Avaya has the best background to do the job properly."