NSS Labs Expands Live Security Testing to Endpoint and Perimeter Products

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - April 21, 2009) - NSS Labs, a leading independent test lab and product analyst firm, announced today the expansion of its Live Testing program of information security products to include all endpoint protection, antimalware and network appliances. Launched on web browser security products in Q1 2009, this testing regime provides the most accurate assessment of a product's ability to protect against the most current threats, whether exploits, drive-by downloads, phishing or socially engineered malware.

The evolution of the web and criminal activity has changed the threat landscape. Today, more than 53% of malware is distributed via the web, and exploits represent a growing silent threat. Traditional antivirus product testing is obsolete and a poor predictor of protection against these new threats. Unlike other tests which use older collections of malware, often 2 or more months old, NSS Labs' proprietary "Live Testing" program continually identifies new malicious sites in near real-time 24x7, testing them against products every two hours.

IT buyers now have access to the most current and relevant security effectiveness assessment from an expert, independent source. Vendors may submit their products for private and public testing starting immediately. NSS Labs is demonstrating the Live Testing at RSA Conference 2009, booth #308.

"All security organizations need reliable information about their risk exposure. Products need to be evaluated against current real-world threats under real-world conditions. Today the majority of these are coming from the web, and our Live Testing uniquely addresses this need," says Rick Moy, President, NSS Labs.

"Microsoft selected NSS Labs, as a supplement to our own internal research, for its integrity and expertise in providing accurate 3rd party benchmarks," said John Scarrow, General Manager Online Safety Technologies, Microsoft Corporation. "This service has been instrumental in providing us with reliable metrics."

NSS Labs would also like to acknowledge some of its partners who support the Live Testing Program: IBM, Mailshell, Norman Data Defense Systems, Solidcore, Sunbelt Software, Telus Security, and other anonymous parties.

About NSS Labs

Founded in 1991, NSS Labs is a global leader in independent security and performance testing and certification. NSS Labs performs the most comprehensive, high-performance security validation in the industry. Proven methodologies reflect real-world traffic and usage conditions, and help information security professionals understand how products will work in their environments. NSS is a participating organization in the PCI Security Standards Council and a member of AMTSO. For more information, visit: www.nsslabs.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Rick Moy rmoy@nsslabs.com 760-274-5943