Internet Security Systems

Internet Security Systems, Inc.
Company type	Public (until acquisition)
Industry	Cybersecurity, Computer security software
Founded	1994
Founder	Christopher Klaus
Defunct	2006
Fate	Acquired by IBM
Successor	IBM Security Systems Division
Headquarters	Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Christopher Klaus (Founder, former CTO), Tom Noonan (former CEO), Chris Rouland (former CTO)
Products	BlackICE, Internet Scanner, Network Sensor, Proventia, RealSecure, Secure Log Manager, Server Sensor, Site Protector, System Scanner, Managed Security Services

Internet Security Systems, Inc. (commonly known as ISS or ISSX) specialized in providing security software and managed security services designed to protect computers, servers, networks, and remote sites from business-related cyber threats. Established in 1994, the company was acquired by IBM in 2006.

History

The origins of ISS trace back to 1992 when Christopher Klaus, while studying at the Georgia Institute of Technology, created the initial version of Internet Security Scanner. He launched ISS in 1994 to bring this technology to market. Klaus held the role of Chief Technology Officer, and in 1995, Tom Noonan was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Early investments were secured from Greylock Ventures and Sigma Partners in 1996, followed by funding from Kleiner Perkins and ATT Ventures in 1997. ISS made its public market debut on the NASDAQ exchange on March 23, 1998.

ISS broadened its security software offerings with products such as Network Sensor and Server Sensor. In 1998, the company acquired March Information Systems based in the UK, rebranding their Security Manager as System Scanner. The acquisition of DbSecure added database protection capabilities, leading to the introduction of Database Scanner. Subsequent acquisitions included Network ICE, whose BlackICE technology was incorporated into ISS's product lineup.

In 2004, Klaus resigned from his CTO position but stayed involved as a major shareholder and security consultant; Chris Rouland took over the CTO responsibilities.

On August 23, 2006, IBM revealed plans to purchase ISS for $1.36 billion plus an additional $570 million for its Japanese subsidiary, amounting to a total transaction value of $1.93 billion. ISS shareholders approved the deal on October 16, 2006.

By 2011, IBM had merged ISS with more than ten other security startups along with Q1 Labs to create the Security Systems Division led by Brendan Hannigan, who previously served as CEO of Q1 Labs.

Products

IBM has phased out ISS’s hallmark product, the Proventia multifunction security appliance, after a sustained decline in technical support and license renewals.

The product range developed by ISS included:

BlackICE
Internet Scanner
Network Sensor
Proventia
RealSecure
Secure Log Manager
Server Sensor
Site Protector
System Scanner
Managed Security Services

Supported solutions encompassed:

Endpoint Secure Control
Enterprise Scanner
Internet Scanner
IBM Open Signatures
IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Proventia Desktop
Proventia Management SiteProtector and Web Console
Proventia Network Mail Security
Proventia Network Multi-Function Security
Proventia Server Intrusion Prevention System for Linux and Windows
Proventia Web Application Security
Proventia Web Filter
Virtual Server Protection for VMWare

Location

The headquarters of IBM Internet Security Systems is located in Sandy Springs, near Atlanta (Georgia, USA). Up until late 2003, major development operations were based in Mountain View (California, USA), Kassel (Germany), Reading (UK), and Sydney (Australia). Since then, all development activities have been centralized in Atlanta. The company also operates sales offices along with multiple support centers.

External links

References

BlackIce Defender Intrusion Detection System and Firewall solution
IBM’s security application leverages analytics to identify insider threats