Unisys bags global BT service contract

US services provider Unisys has inked a deal with British carrier BT to provide network monitoring and management services as part of outsourcing programs for Unisys clients globally.

The agreement means that BT network montoring and management services are now part of the core Unisys IT outsourcing solution. Unisys intends to implement the BT services as part of its suite of managed network solutions for its global client base.

Unisys and BT also intend to collaborate on innovative business solutions for next-generation communications capabilities – especially in converged local area network/wide area networking (LAN/WAN) which the companies say can substantially enhance enterprises’ market competitiveness and improve productivity.

“Drawing on a long-term relationship between our companies, this agreement with BT strengthens the value Unisys can deliver to our clients around the world,” Unisys Global Outsourcing and Infrastructure Services president Randy Hendricks said.

“Combining BT’s worldwide scale and networking expertise with Unisys comprehensive IT services management experience extends our ability to provide next-generation network support today, and help clients innovate for the future.”

This agreement with BT is the latest milestone in the services relationship between the two companies.

Unisys already provides BT Global Services with managed network products and services as a key element of select Unisys IT outsourcing client engagements where the two companies collaborate. Unisys also delivers fulfillment services such as staging, installation and maintenance of servers and routers, on behalf of BT Global Services in more than 100 countries.

“Unisys and BT have a strong collaborative relationship, capitalszing on complementary strengths in numerous client engagements,” BT Global Services chief executive Francois Barrault said.

“By adding BT network management services to the Unisys outsourcing portfolio, we can expand global operations and build on a relationship that goes from strength to strength,” he said.

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Sharp rise in global malware threat: Sophos

NEW figures compiled by security vendor Sophos’ global network of monitoring stations has found a further sharp rise in web-based virus threats – with 80 per cent of the threats located on hacked legitimate sites.

Sophos uncovered an average of 29,700 new infected web pages every day.

The research for June puts the Iframe malware as by far the most prevalent web-based threat, making up 64 per cent of all threats during the month.

Earlier this month, an Iframe attack on multiple Italian web sites occurred, making headlines around the world. More than 10,000 web pages were infected, most of which were on legitimate but compromised web sites hosted in Italy.

Victim web sites included Italian city councils, employment services and tourism sites. Most of the affected pages appear to be hosted by one of the largest ISPs in Italy.

“The Italian Iframe attack should certainly act as a wake-up call to ISPs across the globe,” said Sophos senior security consultant Carole Theriault.

“Malicious code dumped on these web sites is just waiting to pounce on innocent surfers. Web sites should be as secure as Fort Knox, but at the moment, too many web pages are easy pickings for cybercriminals,” Ms Theriault said.

Nearly 60 per cent of malware-infected web pages in June were hosted in China, while 24 per cent were hosted in the US.

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