Symantec Arms Channel And Small Businesses

13 October 2005

Symantec Arms Channel And Small Businesses To Protect Information

New Training and Certification Programme Serves as Educational Resource for Small Businesses and Provides Competitive Differentiation for Resellers

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today extended its commitment to educate small businesses and the resellers that support them on how to protect critical information assets through the launch of the Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security programme.

The programme includes online and print training materials as well as certification testing to enable resellers and small business IT managers to understand and manage information security in a changing threat environment. The certification is specifically designed for professionals responsible for planning, installing, configuring and managing Symantec antivirus, antispam, antispyware and firewall solutions in small business environments.

“Small businesses have long considered Symantec a trusted resource for comprehensive protection against today’s threat landscape,” said Natasha Hook, Business Partner Manager for Symantec.

“A significant component of effective Internet security is the policies and management strategy the organisation establishes and maintains. With the new certification programme, Symantec is extending our small business focus beyond products and services to offer customers and partners detailed information and best practices to establish a robust and secure infrastructure.”

Certification Serves as Differentiator for Small Business Solution Providers
The Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security certification designates Symantec partners who have demonstrated in-depth product knowledge and implementation proficiency with Symantec AntiVirus and Symantec Client Security. The associated training materials cover exam objectives, sample questions and product documentation and are available online to registered Symantec partners via Symantec’s PartnerNet and the Partner Learning Center, along with other materials designed to help partners better support small businesses’ information security needs. The new certification will help Symantec partners further establish their role as trusted and valued advisors within the small business market, helping partners establish deeper and longer-term customer relationships.

Luis Alvarez, president of Alvarez Technology Group, Inc., a Symantec Software Partner and participant in the certification beta programme, agrees, “I’m impressed by Symantec’s continued thought leadership in the small business segment and their steadfast commitment to the channel. With the new certification, I’ve deepened my knowledge and validated my skill set and expertise around the everyday small business technologies my clients need to effectively protect critical information assets. I believe this is a valuable security credential in a highly competitive market segment.”

Information Security Resources for Small Businesses
According to the Small Business Technology Institute’s July 2005 Small Business Information Security Readiness study, which was sponsored by Symantec, small businesses are growing more vulnerable to information security threats as they adopt increasingly complex IT infrastructures and processes that expose information security gaps. Of the more than 1,000 small businesses surveyed, 20 percent have yet to implement virus scanning on their email systems and 75 percent have not been involved in any form of information security planning. The study found that small businesses require education and resources to help them understand information security issues, assess threats and implement adequate protection.

Symantec’s base of partners holding the Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security designation serve as a much-needed network of resources with the expertise necessary to plan, implement and manage small business security architectures using Symantec security solutions.

The Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security certification is also available directly to small business IT administrators, serving as an opportunity for organisations to better understand the information security threat landscape and corresponding levels of protection needed to keep today’s information security threats at bay.

Symantec Press published the Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security Study Guide, providing small business IT administrators with detailed course material to help them improve their organisations’ security posture and prepare for the exam. Purchasing information for the book and additional information on other books scheduled to be published by Symantec Press can be found at www.ses.symantec.com/symantecpress. The book is also available for purchase on www.awprofessional.com and www.amazon.com.

Certification Process
To achieve the new certification, candidates need to successfully pass the Symantec Certified Technical Specialist exam and accept the online certification agreement. Exams for the Symantec Certified Technical Specialist, Small Business Security certification are now available and Symantec partners and end users can register online at www.2test.com to take the exam. All certifications are valid for 24 months from the date earned.

For more information about the Symantec Certification Programme, please visit http://ses.symantec.com/SCTS.

About Symantec

Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability and integrity of their information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

ENDS

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