June 1, 2009 (WAM) - Etisalat today announced a partnership agreement with Symantec to provide MessageLabs e-mail security services to its business customers across the United Arab Emirates. The agreement will provide customers with a wide range of on demand eMail security services through the EmailDefend service based on a subscription model which gives customers predictable costs with a quick provisioning process.

As part of its EmailDefend service , Etisalat will be offering a range of services from the MessageLabs Email Security portfolio to its customers, including Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, Image Control and Content Control, with other services such as archiving '&' eMail Encryption.This range of comprehensive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) email security services provides businesses with industry leading protection from viruses, spam, inappropriate images and other unwanted content, as well as helping organizations to control content transported via email.

Etisalat is offering its business customers the opportunity to register for a 15 day free trial to evaluate this new service with the offer being valid till June 31,2009. Customers interested in the service can visit www.etisalat.ae/EmailDefend to register for the free trial. The new agreement further extends the existing relationship with Symantec, in which Etisalat's broadband Internet users receive secure desktop protection through Norton Internet Security. "As threats rise in volume and complexity, and compliance requirements pile up, businesses need to strengthen their security shields and e-mail security is the first such requirement," said Abdulla Hashim,VP Business Solutions, Etisalat. "With guaranteed SLAs and the convenience of a Managed service model, customers can outsource their email security to Etisalat and focus on their core IT needs in addition to reducing their capital and operating expenditures.

MessageLabs services are market leading in the Middle East region and globally and were an obvious choice for Etisalat to offer to its existing customer base." "With Etisalat's prominent position within the marketplace and our expertise in providing security protection to businesses worldwide, this partnership is a perfect fit. Our agreement with Etisalat represents the continued focus and growth of the MessageLabs services within the Middle East," said Torgny Gunnarsson, Vice President EMEA, SaaS Group, Symantec. "We are committed to building partner relationships that identify and grow sales opportunities while providing market-leading, differentiated solutions that create competitive advantage." The EmailDefend services include: Anti-Spam - Features a multi-layered approach - including MessageLabs Skeptic Anti-Spam predictive technology, industry-leading third party technology and additional layers of detection techniques - designed to stop all spam before it reaches corporate networks while ensuring that businesses receive legitimate email.

Anti-Virus - Combats known and unknown viruses before they reach corporate networks. Using multiple scanners and MessageLabs Skeptic predictive technology, it provides organizations with complete protection even before signatures are available. Content Control - Enables enterprises to identify and control confidential, malicious, or inappropriate content sent or received by employees, such as offensive language, harassment or confidential company information. It offers a solution to preserve the confidentiality and security of data, reduce legal liability and ensure regulatory compliance.

Image Control - Scans and detects inappropriate images in attachments such as pornography or other unwanted images. Image Control goes beyond the flesh tone analysis of standard filters, using image composition analysis to provide accurate detection of such images. Policy Based Encryption Service - Helps safeguard the confidentiality of sensitive data you exchange with customers and other stakeholders via email. Enhancing the ability to maintain client trust and comply with data security legislation, the service automatically encrypts all emails containing sensitive information.

Managed Email Archiving Service - Provides a proven email archiving solution that meets requirements for mailbox management, e-discovery, email compliance and supervision. Email Archive safely and securely stores all internal and external emails, provides end-users with virtually unlimited mailboxes and enables search and email retrieval to be completed in seconds.

Delivered at the Internet-level, this suite of hosted email security and management services provides a complete managed email security solution, without the hassle, inconvenience or additional cost of traditional software or hardware solutions. Etisalat Business Solution services ensure the integrity of electronic communications, helping businesses to manage and reduce risk while securing their critical infrastructure and business information.