Bank Saudi Fransi builds proactive protection against malicious threats

New IPS strengthens security of BSF’s network and infrastructure running several international and customised banking applications

Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), a Saudi Arabian full service commercial bank serving the local and international banking needs, has replaced its existing Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with TippingPoint’s IPS to protect its IT infrastructure and corporate network from blended and malicious threats.

BSF has reaped plenty of benefits from this implementation from fulfilling audit requirements quickly to real protection from latest threats, intuitive interface, strong and customizable reporting facility and easy integration with the BSF SOC. TippingPoint’s IPS solution builds on conventional intrusion detection system (IDS) technologies by not only recognizing malicious attacks but taking steps to actively block them.

Shadi Ali AlMosajen, Head of e-Security & SOC at BSF’s Head Office, said, “As one of the major banks in the Arab world, we have an advanced enterprise network and infrastructure that runs a variety of international banking applications and our own range of custom applications over its state-of-the-art corporate network and IT infrastructure to compete with other banking institutes in Saudi Arabia. The previous solution not only raised false alarms, but was difficult to administer by the IT team.”

The BSF security and IT team, headed by AlMosajen, conducted three ‘proof of concept’ tests using solutions available from the top IPS providers listed on the current Gartner Magic Quadrant. TippingPoint’s IPS emerged as the winner at the end of the rigorous tests. TippingPoint was also selected for its thorough R&D, security architecture and continuous local technical support.

With help from FVC, TippingPoint’s VAD in the Middle East & North Africa region, and PCS Saudi Arabia, FVC’s Authorised TippingPoint partner in the Kingdom, BSF received an IPS that included assistance with deploying the new security technology, as well as round-the-clock technical support.

“We feel that the newly deployed TippingPoint security solution on the bank’s IT infrastructure will help us to enhance incident response and escalation for internal systems in the event of malicious outbreaks,” adds AlMosajen. He added that “the system will also increase BSF’s SOC capabilities to command and handle different aspects of internal security threats, achieving an end-to-end in-depth security capability, which is useful for the functioning of an institution such as ours”.

With the advanced security capabilities of the new TippingPoint IPS and the expert support provided by PCS Saudi Arabia, BSF can today provide stronger protection for its customers than ever before.

About FVC
Founded in 2000, FVC is one of the leading Value Added Distributors across the Middle East and North Africa with dedicated offices in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco, working through its growing network of more than 130 channel partners in over 44 countries across the region.

With new technologies and solutions driving the pace of change of businesses in the region, FVC has built a successful business by drawing on the best of global solutions. Uniquely in the region, its combination of full support for its channel partners and market-leading solutions from emerging technologies provides both FVC’s partners and their customers with the full confidence to invest in integrated next-generation IT and networking solutions from rich media communications to security to bandwidth management that will benefit their businesses. For more information, visit www.fvc.com.