Chubb unlocks its high-tech potential

NEWS The British company - better known for its real-world locks and burglar alarms - today unveiled Chubb Mail, an encrypted email facility, and Chubb Courier, a public key infrastructure (PKI) service which identifies both the sender and recipient of virtual documents. In partnership with security software company Baltimore, Chubb Information Security will offer a range of business services from initial risk assessment to fully outsourced provision of firewalls and intruder detection. Companies will be able to purchase services under long-term contracts or a pay-as-you-go model. According to Andy Burton, CEO of Chubb information Security, the company's reputation makes it ideally placed to become a trusted third party. The services will run from an underground nuclear bunker - a physical precaution which Chubb hopes will get its message across - supported by an independent generator in case of power failure. Opening the facility, Alan Duncan MP, shadow minister for Trade & Industry, called on businesses to take more responsibility for ecommerce security. "With internet usage alone expected to double by 2003 to more than 500 million business users, and ecommerce transactions expected to exceed $300bn in the same period, the need for security on the net has never been greater," Duncan warned. For more information see http://www.chubbinternet.com