Group Aims to Create Hallmark of Security

Abstract

A group of companies that develop network security applications has formed a partnership to establish what it calls "minimum criteria" for protecting Web-based applications. The Applications Security Consortium, representing the efforts of F5 Networks, Imperva, NetContinuum, and Teros, will work for implementing standards that will "ensure the safety of consumers as well as corporate and government environments on the Web." According to the group, many security companies say they include security measures in their applications but do not, leaving consumers with a false sense of security about their networks. The group called on larger companies to join, including Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks, and said it will submit its products to an independent lab for review. Greg Young of Gartner said that the new group represents a "positive development for buyers of application security."