Guest writer 'Paul Dinsmore' discusses ISP security and firewalls

At it's most basic, the Security Provider can quickly take advantage of 'click-through' sales by establishing an e-Shop on their Web site. From here, customers can purchase and download the security software they require. It can take as little as one day to establish an e-Shop as all the Service Provider has to do is host a page on their site with links through to the security supplier where the software is actually available.

A step more advanced but with a great deal more potential, the subscription model is only slightly more complex to implement.. The software is time-delineated so can be charged on a monthly basis or included in the base subscription cost and switched off immediately the customer stops using the service. Once more, the Service Provider doesn't need to invest heavily in infrastructure to deliver the service.

Preventon is one of the first personal firewalls to pioneer the concept of the subscription-based business model. It offers two great benefits to the Service Provider - a small footprint and ease of use. The software's footprint means it is downloadable not only to broadband customers but also, for the first time, to dial-up users who are increasingly coming under attack from hackers.

In addition, Preventon has simplified installation and use without compressing protection so home users are able to load and run the software - in its strongest configuration - without outside help. This is an essential element for any security solution offered on a subscription basis. Most Service Providers simply do not have the time or resource to re-skill support staff and handle a noticeable increase in security-related calls.

The start of great things?

Apart from the obvious network performance and security benefits that accrue from having all your customers with a correctly configured firewall, introducing it through a subscription model offers a greater opportunity to Service Providers. It really is a way to prove the concept of creating a range of value-added services for customers.

You could think of providing a firewall service in the same way as 'call waiting' or SMS, a service that has been able to add substantial revenue without too much investment in infrastructure. It will also demonstrate how open your customers are to the idea of paying for these services - whether it's as an extra charge or rolled in to the price of the overall service.

It becomes a model whereby a Service Provider can realise incremental revenue or increase customer loyalty as well as plan to introduce new value-added services on a regular basis. For instance, if you offer a firewall it's a simple matter to begin to look at anti-virus or parental control solutions. This model could be exactly what Service Providers need to replace the revenue they see receding from earlier business models. We hope so.

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