TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nowadays, cyber crime does not only revolve around bank fraud, but also covers company data theft. Despite the apparent threat of cyber crime, only a handful of businesses that realizes how important it is to secure company data.
Through the eyes of Fortinet, a cyber security company, public education on the threat of cyber crime has become one of the company's top priorities. Interviewed by Tempo at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on the middle of April 2015, Fortinet Indonesia Country Manager Jeremy Andreas, described the company's challenges and strategies, which currently sits on the top three cyber security provider in Indonesia. Excerpts:
How's Fortinet's business expansion?
In 2004, when Fortinet first enter the Indonesian market, people don’t know the importance of internet security. Now customers understand it is important to keep their company’s data network safe. Not only middle-class consumers, even the upper-class customers asked: why should I buy an expensive security system? They consider (internet security) expensive. Expensive or not depends on the company’s needs. We have products raning from US$1,000 up to US$1 million. Customers will say it is expensive if they consider internet security unimportant.
The challenge is to make the customers understand that something they considered unimportant is actually important. Now, what we are trying to explain is how internet security system can help the company's business to grow. We try to make them understand that before (data) breach occurred, the company must install a security system. We try to focus on making the company aware that the security system can improve their business.
What kind of data breach M.O that people need to be aware of?
The currently popular method is APT, advance persistent threat. Previously, threat came from spam and virus without any organization controlling it. APT has a cyber crime organization controlling it. The organization has a target, for example, to steal data. The danger is the company does not aware that their data has been stolen, but suddenly these data was published on the internet, like Sony.
How to detect an APT attack?
APT attacks have no signs. It has to be battled with a constantly monitored framework. In the real world, APT is like a spy infiltrating a country. It may not have an immediate task. The initial mission is to infiltrate and stay there as long as possible, blend in, and to be considered not harmful. Then the spy work.
What are the risks for companies that does not have a security system?
I see the security system as essential because a data breach could affect a company’s business. A system under attack by cyber criminals actually damages the company’s reputation. But the most dangerous hackers are those who can steal data undetected.
Who are Fortinet's clients?
Almost from all sectors, telecommunication, finance, government institution, even Indonesian education institute. Fortinet also provided various security solutions for multi-scale companies, from large-scale companies, small-medium enterprises, up to cloud computing service provider.
Any short-term or long-term goals in Indonesia?
For long-term goal we follow our principal company, to become number one (in the business). For short-term goal, we hoped to support our local partners in providing the best services to their customers. If we provide good services, costumers will come to us automatically.
Who are Fortinet's competitors?
Fortinet has lots of products, therefore, our competitors are companies that render similar services/products. For example, our firewall product, then all companies producing firewalls are our competitors. We also produce web application firewall, likewise, companies rendering similar service are our competitors.
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