BW2337 FEB 07,2001 7:19 PACIFIC 10:19 EASTERN
( BW)(LA-PRESIDEO) Presideo, @Link Networks and Akaba Combine
Strengths to Create End-To-End HIPAA Compliant Solutions for
Healthcare and Insurance Industries
Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers
NEW ORLEANS--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 7, 2001--HIMSS Conference--Presideo, a leading
provider of information security services to the Healthcare and Insurance verticals, today
announced it is forming strategic relationships with @Link Networks, an integrated
communications provider focusing on next generation Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Solutions, and Akaba, a provider of managed security solutions, to enable creation and
delivery of HIPAA compliant solutions for customers in the Healthcare and Insurance
industries.
This three-way strategic relationship delivers unprecedented levels of security and
compatibility for insurance companies and agents, medical offices, and pharmaceutical
customers and makes migration to HIPAA government standards painless and cost
effective. With the pending 2002 deadline for compliance, it's not a question of IF these
companies should become HIPAA compliant, but HOW they can best implement and
manage their migration to HIPAA in a reliable and cost effective manner.
"Today's computing environment demands new standards for information security,"
said Sheila Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Presideo. "By teaming with Akaba and
@Link, Presideo is able to extend our scope of services in establishing a comprehensive
lifecycle of digital trust necessary for the healthcare and insurance arenas."
Presideo is a recognized leader in solving the complex information security problems
facing the Healthcare and Insurance verticals. Through the @Link and Akaba strategic
relationship, Presidio will be able to deliver their services through a more robust
application delivery platform. @Link provides HIPAA compliant private networking
solutions over its state-of-the art ATM backbone that supports voice, video and data with
end-to-end Quality of Service, high bandwidth, carrier-class reliability and the inherent
security of private networking. Akaba adds 24X7 management, monitoring and response
services for Internet Protocol Virtual Private Networks (IP- VPNs), firewalls and
intrusion detection. Akaba also provides security auditing and assessment, planning,
consulting, and training.
These combined services ensure that healthcare and insurance data are stored,
processed, transmitted and viewed within a seamless environment that maintains
confidentiality, data integrity and compatibility. Prior to this strategic relationship,
healthcare and insurance companies were forced to buy, install, configure and maintain
their own HIPAA solutions - an alternative that is considerably more costly than
subscribing to the new Presideo integrated service. Businesses seeking to achieve HIPAA
compliance will realize greater benefits and fewer costs by outsourcing to integrated
service providers rather than trying to migrate on their own.
Designed to streamline workflow, the Presideo suite of Trust Services package a
variety of robust authentication tools that confirm the identity of users accessing the
system while deploying access privileges that limit user access to sensitive personal
information based on the need and the right to know. Presideo's services feature
advanced single sign-on functionality, multi-user session management features and mobile
digital certificates. All user sessions are audited to exceed current regulatory standards
and enable healthcare organizations to protect the sensitive personal information under
their watch.
"This strategic relationship signals the next phase of application services," states Steve
Stout, VP of Application Services for @Link, "leveraging Internet technology within
@Link's business-grade private network moves eBusiness to new levels of privacy,
integrity, reliability and responsiveness."
Glenn Williamson VP of Sales for Akaba adds "The strategic relationship between our
organizations was a natural fit, Presideo provides the HIPPA and healthcare security
expertise, @Link provides an extremely dense and reliable private network, and Akaba
provides 24X7 monitoring and management of firewalls, VPN's and Intrusion detection
devices".
About Presideo, Inc.
Presideo, Inc. is a leading e-business service provider that delivers a unique end-to-end
process to the Healthcare industry; protecting confidential data and enabling trusted
exchanges over the Internet. Presideo's advanced solutions include irrefutable biometric
authentication to create a Trusted SpaceTM for creating a secure e-business environment.
Headquartered in Sebastian, Florida, Presideo is an incuVest and Safeguard Scientifics
partner company. incuVest LLC creates and operates leading technology companies, and
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE) is a leading operator of premier companies in the
Internet infrastructure market. Detailed information on Presideo can be found on the
World Wide Web at www.presideo.com , or by calling (888) 302-7200.
About @Link Networks
Founded in 1997, @Link Networks is a multi-service integrated communications
provider, delivering diverse communications solutions to small and medium enterprises.
These services include high-end, secure virtual private networks for voice and data,
high-speed Internet access and business-to-business e-commerce enabling services. @Link
delivers these solutions by linking customer locations into it's next-generation, packet
switched Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone through a combination of access
technologies including copper, fiber and wireless. @Link offers customers the option to
choose from four unique Class of Services (CoS) packages, all of which are backed by
Quality of Service (QoS) and performance level guarantees. @Link reaches its customers
through a high-end, direct sales force combined with strategic distribution channels.
@Link currently offers services throughout the Mid-West states and nationwide through
its partnerships. More information can be found at: www.atlinknetworks.com or by
calling (303) 542-1400.
About Akaba
Akaba provides premier managed security solutions including 24 x 7 management of
Firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) , and Intrusion Detection Systems. Akaba's
staff of seasoned security experts specialize in audits and assessments, planning,
consulting, as well as training. Akaba services ensure continuous, uninterrupted
protection against the growing number of security threats. Akaba focuses on the
Healthcare, Financial, and E-Commerce markets. Akaba has partnerships with the leading
providers in each market segment.
Headquartered in Campbell, California Akaba was founded to deliver the highest
quality managed security services available. Akaba focuses on security 24 x 7 so our
customers can focus on their business. Akaba can be reached at (866) 295-9500 or
www.akabainc.com.
--30--bh/bos*
CONTACT: Mike Kramer
Presideo
888-302-7200 ext. 7094
mkramer@presideo.com
or
Karen Kralios
@Link Networks
303-542-1524
karen.kralios@link-us.net
or
Glenn Williamson
Akaba
408-866-9500
glenn@akabainc.com
KEYWORD: LOUISIANA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS INSURANCE MEDICAL
MEDICAL DEVICES
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