IRVING, Texas, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced the latest addition to its BT Assure portfolio, Assure Threat Defense. BT has combined cutting edge event monitoring technology and professional services to create Assure Threat Defense which helps customers and security analysts better identify and react to advanced and sophisticated cyber security threats.

Specifically designed to counteract the growing threat posed by complex and targeted attacks by cyber criminals, the new service automatically monitors network traffic and downloads. It enables users to identify complex infections across the full range of customer devices - such as PCs, laptops, mobile devices, servers, and files.

Often referred to as 'Advanced Persistent Threats', these complex cyber-attacks are capable of bypassing traditional security monitors which usually rely on signature-based detection tools. Assure Threat Defense does not rely on signature-based detection techniques and is able to detect and prevent complex and sophisticated attacks, as well as unknown and custom malware.

Mark Hughes, president of BT Security, explained: "Cyber criminals are increasingly creating custom malware that evades common signature-based malware detection methods. They will often use tactics like e-mail spoofing and malicious web content to deploy their custom malware and establish an initial foothold in a target environment.

"Traditional security controls can't always adequately protect against these advanced techniques. Assure Threat Defense has been designed to offer organizations world class resistance to address the constantly evolving threat landscape. It creates a secure and robust solution for customers across all sectors and of all sizes."

Once a threat is identified, BT security analysts investigate the issue, evaluate the risk and notify the customer with highly informed details on the threat's targets and associated cyber security information. Combining threat detection capabilities with swift response times means that customers using the new solution are assured of industry leading continuous threat protection.

Mark Hughes concludes: "With this new service wrapped into our managed security service, customers can rest assured that they have the valuable awareness and protection against advanced threats, ensuring that they are doing everything in their power to stay one step ahead of attackers."

BT is piloting the new service in the Americas, with a worldwide launch planned for later in the year.

All news can be accessed at our web sites: http://www.globalservices.bt.com/us/en/news and http://www.btplc.com/news 

About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of five lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Business, BT Consumer, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2014, BT Group's reported revenue was £18,287m with reported profit before taxation of £2,312m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

BT Security
BT Security is building on 70 years' experience of helping organisations around the globe and across all sectors get ahead of the threat curve and reduce the uncertainty and complexity of security.  We provide an end-to-end capability to help organisations enjoy higher levels of security at a time when security budgets are not keeping pace with the threat landscape. 

The sophistication of our security operations means that we think about the assets, the people, and the processes, and combine these with both network and security intelligence to help our customers stay ahead of the security risks. BT Security protects both BT and its customers. These customers are advised by a global team of 1,300 security practitioners, 600 global security specialists and a professional services team of approximately 4,000. The BT Security Assure portfolio covers:

• Assure Managed Firewall
• Assure Web Security
• Assure Intrusion Prevention
• Assure Message Scan
• Assure Denial of Service Mitigation
• Assure Cyber
• Assure Managed Cloud
• Assure Threat Monitoring
• Assure Vulnerability Scanning

To find out more about BT Security, visit www.bt.com/btassure/securitythatmatters.

SOURCE BT