3Com Launches Security Assessment Service To Help Customers Proactively Fortify Their Network

3Com today enhanced its portfolio of professional services with the launch of the TippingPoint Security Posture Assessment (SPA). The new service provides a comprehensive security evaluation to identify network vulnerabilities and potential exposures to threats along with custom recommendations on policies, procedures and security tools to eliminate security weaknesses. The new service ultimately helps customers proactively ensure their network is impenetrable against threats and compliant with healthcare regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Bob Riazzi, vice president of Global Services at 3Com said, "We are extending the same level of high quality service our customers experience with our Digital Vaccine® service to a portfolio of new security professional services. The Security Posture Assessment service is only the first of special security services offerings to come. We believe our in-house 3Com and TippingPoint security experts, custom testing tools, best-of-breed technology and vulnerability expertise combined with the expertise and coverage offered by authorized, high quality services delivery partners, will enable us to offer a leading security service to organizations of all sizes in many global geographies. This offering augments 3Com's existing portfolio of professional services in the areas of voice, data networking, and wireless."

As part of the service, 3Com's certified security specialists will fully test a network for weaknesses that can be exploited by attackers. Specialists perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessment services through the use of custom tools, designed within 3Com's TippingPoint division. 3Com's custom testing methodology and testing tools utilize both state-of-the art technology and in-depth industry expertise. Each security weakness found is manually validated by the security expert. In addition, the security specialist uses the latest attacks and evasion methods to attempt to gain access to the network and determine its security strength.

According to Soubhi Abdulkarim, IT manager at ASPIRE, "We are looking forward to working with 3Com for our Security Posture Assessment. We feel this is a valuable service and chose 3Com for their security expertise and experience with best-of-breed technologies."

The Security Posture Assessment includes a variety of tests including network mapping, security scans, password cracking, sophisticated blended attacks, reconnaissance, evasion techniques and penetration testing to determine the level of susceptibility to threats and the level of unauthorized access. All testing is performed in a controlled environment with careful attention to detail to ensure the safety of the network under test.

A final assessment report is provided that includes details on the test methodology, test findings and expert analysis. The report, to be used to perfect the security health of the network, also includes recommendations for security policies, best practice methods and product solutions for organizations to implement and deploy in order to eliminate weaknesses found in testing. By implementing the recommended policies and tools, organizations can proactively defend their network and eliminate threats.

One of the major benefits to this service is that customers gain access to TippingPoint security engineers, world-renowned for their security and vulnerability expertise. TippingPoint pioneered the field of intrusion prevention by launching the first intrusion prevention system (IPS) in 2002. Every week, engineers at 3Com's TippingPoint division rank the severity level of new vulnerabilities and write vulnerability filters, also known as virtual software patches, for TippingPoint Intrusion Prevention Systems. TippingPoint security researchers also author the SANS @RISK newsletter, the most widely distributed vulnerability newsletter in the world with over 125,000 security subscribers.

About TippingPoint, a division of 3Com
TippingPoint, a division of 3Com, is the leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems. The TippingPoint IPS is the most decorated in its industry. For a full list of awards, visit www.tippingpoint.com/products_certifications.html. Our innovative approach offers customers unmatched network-based security with unrivaled economics, ultra-high performance, scalability and reliability. TippingPoint is based in Austin, Texas, and can be contacted through its Web site at www.tippingpoint.com or by telephone at 1-888-TRUE-IPS.

About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS) is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is the leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection for corporate enterprises, government agencies, service providers and academic institutions. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox.