Signed, Sealed and Stamped
7th August 2002 (NISER)
By Gopal Nair

Top Layer Networks recently announced the appointment of ACA Pacific Technology (M) Sdn Bhd as a primary distribution partner for the Malaysian market.

ACA Pacific's dedicated Enterprise Security & Networking business division will distribute Top Layer Networks' latest range of security products and solutions - best suited to large enterprises, particularly financial institutions, and government agencies - through its network of over 1,200 systems integrators and resellers as well as 120 certified business partners or authorized resellers in Malaysia.

Top Layer specialises in helping customers overcome Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and HTTP worms, such as Nimda and Code Red, as well as improve the performance and availability of already installed security equipment, such as firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). In response to market demand for low cost, easy to use security, Top Layer recently launched a new range of dedicated appliances, including the Attack Mitigator, IDS Balancer and Server Load Balancer.

A solution to load balance firewalls is also available from Top Layer using company's flagship, multifunctional AppSafe 3500. All will be available as part of the new agreement. Additionally, Top Layer's Regional Training & Support Centre and Security Interoperability Lab in Malaysia will become part of ACA Pacific's value-added service to their security-focused channel.

"ACA is an obvious choice as a distribution partner for Top Layer as they are security specialists who are already working to deliver solutions incorporating technology - such as firewall and intrusion detection - that is complementary to Top Layer's," said Ruslan Rahman, Top Layer Networks' Country Manager for Malaysia and the Philippines.

"Top Layer's business is poised for a partnership with ACA Pacific as this new product range is in line with the global rise in demand for security products and the trend towards allocating a larger portion of a company's IT equipment budget," added Rahman.

Speaking on behalf of ACA Pacific, Assistant General Manager, Mr. Seow Sien Voon, said, "Top Layer is an easy fit for us as the secure load balancing products serve to augment and complement our existing range of IDS and firewall products. The Attack Mitigator is an exciting new product that will enable us to establish a strategic position in what is clearly a fast-growing market. DoS is a rising threat across Asia and we have identified Top Layer Networks as the clear market leader in providing a solution to address this problem."

DoS attacks involve directing large amounts of seemingly legitimate traffic to a network in order to crash a targeted site or severely impair its performance. The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack engages multiple machines, sometimes known as zombies, in launching an attack on an individual target to achieve the same effect.

A recent survey by International Data Corporation (IDC), showed DoS as the third most reported security incident in Malaysia following viruses and unauthorised use of information system resources. In Singapore, it was second only to viruses.