Internet Security Systems
{{Short description|American security software company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Internet Security Systems
| logo = Internet Security Systems logo.svg
| type = Public
| industry = Software
| foundation = Atlanta, Georgia, United States ({{Start date|1994}})
| founder = Chris Klaus
| fate = Acquired by IBM; division later consolidated
| parent = IBM (2006–2011)
| location_city = 6303 Barfield Road, Atlanta, Georgia
| location_country = United States
| location =
| locations =
| key_people = Ginni Rometty
(Chairman, President, and CEO)
| products =
| services = Computer security
| revenue =
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| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
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| homepage = [https://web.archive.org/web/19961208052357/http://iss.net/ iss.net] (archived)
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Internet Security Systems, Inc., often known simply as ISS or ISSX (after its former NASDAQ ticker symbol), was a provider of security software and managed security services. It provided software and services for computers, servers, networks, and remote locations that involve preemptive security against threats before they affect a business.{{Cite book|title=Computer Security: Protecting Digital Resources|last=Newman|first=Robert|date=2009|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers|isbn=978-0763759940|location=Boston|pages=428}} Founded in 1994, the company was acquired by IBM in 2006.
History
In 1992, while attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, Christopher Klaus developed the first version of Internet Security Scanner. In 1994, Klaus founded Internet Security Systems (ISS) to further develop and market Internet Security Scanner, which later became Internet Scanner. Although the larger shareholder, Klaus took the role of chief technology officer (CTO), while Tom Noonan was recruited as chief executive officer in 1995. In 1996 David Strohm from Greylock Ventures and Bob Davoli, from Sigma Partners, led the first round of venture capital investment in ISS. In 1997, Ted Schlein from Kleiner Perkins and ATT Ventures invested in the next round. The initial public offering of the company on NASDAQ was on March 23, 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.iss.net/about/index.html |title=ISS Overview |publisher=IBM Internet Security Systems |access-date=June 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521190031/http://www.iss.net/about/index.html |archive-date=May 21, 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.iss.net/about/timeline/index.html |title=ISS Timeline |publisher=IBM Internet Security Systems |access-date=June 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420103923/http://www.iss.net/about/timeline/index.html |archive-date=April 20, 2007 |url-status=dead }}
Further products in security software space followed, including Network Sensor and Server Sensor which were both developed in-house. In 1998, ISS acquired the UK company March Information Systems, and rebranded their Security Manager product as System Scanner. About the same time, ISS acquired the company DbSecure, founded by Eric Gonzales and Aaron C. Newman, to add database security to their products. The DbSecure product was rebranded as Database Scanner. Subsequently, ISS acquired Network ICE and integrated their BlackICE technology into the ISS product range.
In 2004 Klaus stepped down as CTO, although he remained a significant shareholder and chief security advisor. His role as CTO was taken by Chris Rouland.{{cite news|last=Fisher |first=Dennis |title=Internet Security Systems CTO Steps Down |date=11 May 2004 |publisher=The Channel Insider |url=http://www.thechannelinsider.com/article2/0,1759,1609508,00.asp?kc=CZNKT03119TX1K0000596 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814184712/http://www.thechannelinsider.com/article2/0,1759,1609508,00.asp?kc=CZNKT03119TX1K0000596 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2020 }}
On August 23, 2006, IBM announced its intention to acquire Internet Security Systems for $1.36 billion and its Japanese subsidiary, ISS KK, for additional $570M.{{cite news |url= https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ibm-to-buy-iss-for-1-3-billion/ |title= IBM to buy ISS for $1.3 billion |work= CNET |author= Martin LeMonica |date= August 23, 2006 |access-date= August 20, 2021 }} Total acquisition transaction size was $1.93 billion. On October 16, 2006, the deal was approved by ISS shareholders.{{cite news |url= https://www.cnet.com/news/ibm-completes-iss-takeover/ |title=IBM completes ISS takeover: After $1.3 billion takeover, Atlanta-based ISS is now part of IBM Global Services' Infrastructure Management Services organization |work= CNET |author= Joris Evers |date= October 20, 2006 |access-date= August 20, 2021 }}
By 2011, IBM accumulated more than 10 security-related startups and these, including ISS, were integrated with the security intelligence software company Q1 Labs to form the Security Systems Division.{{Cite web|url=https://xconomy.com/boston/2011/10/04/ibm-acquires-q1-labs-forms-new-division-around-software-security/|title=Xconomy: IBM Acquires Q1 Labs, Forms New Division Around Software Security|last=Huang|first=Gregory|date=2011-10-04|website=Xconomy|language=en|access-date=2019-09-12}} The new unit was headed by Brendan Hannigan, who was Q1 Labs' previous CEO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/ibm-acquires-q1-labs-creates-security-division/|title=IBM acquires Q1 Labs, creates security division|last=Dignan|first=Larry|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2019-09-12}}
Products
IBM has since discontinued ISS' signature product, the Proventia multifunction security appliance. This occurred after a long decline in tech support and licensing renewal service associated with the product.{{cite news|url=http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9004169&source=rss_news50|title=IBM buys bolster security, content management offerings|publisher=Computerworld|date=2006-10-16|access-date=2006-10-16|author=Fred O'Connor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302144543/http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic|archive-date=2007-03-02|url-status=dead}}
- BlackICE
- Internet Scanner[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.is.doc/IS_7.0_SP2_FAQ.pdf Internet Scanner]
- Network Sensor[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.legacy.doc/rsn_faq.pdf Network Sensor]
- Proventia
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060816070644/http://documents.iss.net/literature/RealSecure/rsn_faq.pdf RealSecure]
- Secure Log Manager
- [http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.legacy.doc/rsss_faq.pdf Server Sensor]
- [http://www-935.ibm.com/services/jp/iss/pdf/document/site_protector/technicalreference20sp4.pdf Site Protector]
- System Scanner
- Managed Security Services
Supported products include:
- Endpoint Secure Control
- Enterprise Scanner
- Internet Scanner
- IBM Open Signatures
- IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.ips.doc/concepts/proventianetworkipsguidesandinformation.htm IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)]
- Proventia Desktop
- Proventia Management SiteProtector[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.siteprotector.doc/sp_collateral/sp_dochome_stg.htm Proventia Management SiteProtector]
- Proventia Management SiteProtector Web Console
- Proventia Network Mail Security
- Proventia Network Multi-Function Security
- Proventia Server Intrusion Prevention System for Linux[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.psl.doc_1.5/psl_main_container_pdf.htm Proventia Server Intrusion Prevention System for Linux]
- Proventia Server Intrusion Prevention System for Windows
- Proventia Web Application Security
- Proventia Web Filter
- Virtual Server Protection for VMWare[http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/sprotect/v2r8m0/topic/com.ibm.pvm.doc_1.0/vsp_landingpage.htm Virtual Server Protection for VMWare]
Location
IBM Internet Security Systems is headquartered in Sandy Springs, near Atlanta (Georgia, United States). Until late 2003 the company had significant development activities in Mountain View (California, United States), Kassel (Germany), Reading (UK) and Sydney (Australia), but all development has since been relocated to Atlanta. The company also maintains sales offices.{{cite web | url = http://www.iss.net/about/locations/index.html | title = ISS Locations | publisher = IBM Internet Security Systems | access-date = June 7, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080223200607/http://www.iss.net/about/locations/index.html | archive-date = February 23, 2008 | url-status = dead }}
There were many support centers.{{Cite web |url=http://www-05.ibm.com/fr/events/IBM_ISS_study_tour/prez/MSS_SOC_may_2009.pdf |title=Global Security Operations |access-date=2013-07-10 |archive-date=2014-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042517/http://www-05.ibm.com/fr/events/IBM_ISS_study_tour/prez/MSS_SOC_may_2009.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://cert.webtrust.org/pdfs/iss_systrust.pdf |title=Report of Independent Accountants |access-date=2013-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212934/https://cert.webtrust.org/pdfs/iss_systrust.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/19961208052357/http://iss.net/ IBM Internet Security Systems corporate website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312153313/http://www.iss.net/support/product_utilities/realsecure_tech_center/ archive of technical papers and utilities for RealSecure]
References
{{Reflist}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918111046/http://www.iss.net/blackice/update_center/ BlackIce Defender] tiny, small, IDS / Firewall Giant
- [http://www.cio-today.com/article/index.php?story_id=0020006F4L3Q IBM Security App Uses Analytics To Target Internal Threats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915163612/http://www.cio-today.com/article/index.php?story_id=0020006F4L3Q |date=2016-09-15 }}
Category:2006 mergers and acquisitions
Category:Defunct software companies of the United States