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Technology Stocks : Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: RetiredNow who wrote (58758)	4/1/2002 7:56:31 AM
From: RetiredNow	Respond to of 77400

Network security has become increasingly important as companies and organizations store and transfer ever-growing amounts of critical data over local and wide area networks. After surveying those with decision-making and/or purchasing authority for networking equipment and services, In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com) has found that, as they face growing network security challenges, companies and organizations of all sizes, are turning to Firewall technologies as the preferred method of protection, with larger companies favoring hardware based-solutions and smaller companies using those that are software-based. Cisco, with its well-established identity in both networking equipment and security, was the top choice vendor for these types of products amongst survey respondents. There are various technologies that address network security challenges originating from both within the local area network (remote branch offices, telecommuters, wireless access nodes, and business partners on Extranets) and outside the local area network from viruses and hackers. A large number of security vendors, selling a wide range of products, are competing in this market, with the market for low-end security appliances and software primarily served by smaller companies focusing exclusively on security technology and the larger, traditional networking equipment vendors dominating the market for mid- to high-end equipment, providing a portfolio of security products attractive to large corporate customers. Respondents to In-Stat/MDR's survey cited manageability and compatibility of devices across all segments as being a very important selection criteria and customer support as being just as important as price points in the selection of firewall technologies. Those vendors that can focus on these core criteria will fair the best in this highly competitive space. In-Stat/MDR's study also found that: - Use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology, across all product types, was cited mostly by panelists in the enterprise segment. As VPNs are used to secure access to a LAN from a remote location, or to interconnect two geographically separated LANs, larger companies and organizations have the most need for this technology. - Overall, panelists cited a reluctance to outsource security measures. Firewalls and virus-protection were the most likely of the categories to be outsourced. - Panelists reported that their feelings about network security were largely unchanged by the events of September 11th. In total, 80% reported feeling the "same as before." This Market Alert is drawn from the report , "Security" (#IN020154NA), which is the third report published from In- Stat/MDR's LAN Research Panel service. The report provides analysis of end-user data extrapolated from questionnaires directed at the research firm's LAN Research Panel, just one of the firm's new Technology Adoption Panels (http://www.instat.com/panels), composed of thousands of technology users and decision-makers, representing a wide range of company sizes, industries and expertise. LAN Research Panel members are specifically involved in planning and decision-making for their companies' use of LAN products and services. To purchase the report or for additional information, please visit: instat.com or contact Matthew Woods at mwoods@cahners.com or 617.630.2139. The report is priced at $2,495.