How to Fight Spam Strategically - 'ZIFFPAGE TITLEBuilding On Top of ' (
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Is antispam software simply the cost of entry?
Increasingly, antispam software is being seen as a kind of tithe on the free
Internet, a necessary cost of access to an open peer network. In fact, Gartners
Grey says that by the end of 2004, at least 80 percent of all corporations will
have "relatively complete" spam protection.
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But filtering through the broad range of antispam software options can be daunting.
Analysts and users say the best place to start is by building on whats already
in-house, as well as by looking at the products your Internet service provider
is using. "Its a better solution if it fits into the infrastructure thats
already there," says J.F. Sullivan, director of product marketing for antispam
vendor Sendmail Inc.
Some applications work as standalone products, separate from your messaging
and security infrastructures, though this approach can increase management costs.
Others, including those offered by security software providers, offer integrated
applications, but they may not cover all of your needs. Mark Shields, director
of IT for $1.2 billion Kyocera Wireless Corp., recommends looking at an outsourced
offering as a way to stop spam before it enters your network. But with close
to 120 antispam vendors today, according to Sendmails Sullivan, theres likely
to be substantial consolidation just ahead, so choose vendors for their ability
to merge seamlessly with your existing infrastructure.
Remember that spam is an arms race, and spammers are developing increasingly
clever methods for evading traps. That means any single approach will always
let messages slip through. The best filtering processes include a multilayered
approach with coordination among your ISPs, the corporate messaging infrastructure
and desktop security. "Any single- layered type of approach is going to be subject
to defeat," says Chuck Egress, group product manager at Symantec Corp.
Ask Your Existing E-Mail and Security Vendors:
What can you offer me that will help give me the broad and deep coverage I need?
Ask Potential New Vendors:
How can I be sure youll remain independent?
Ask Your CTO:
How can we build a multilayered approach that can ensure us the best possible
protection?
Next Page: The best ROI from assessing risk holistically.
