ENTERPRISE customers in Singapore can now look forward to a new security solution that will enable them to fulfil their security needs in a cost-effective manner.

Managed Security Services (MSS) is a new initiative resulting from a strategic collaboration by Singtel and IBM.

The partners claim that it allows business customers here to save up to 50 per cent on total cost of ownership, as compared to an in-house deployed security solution. MSS will be aimed at customers looking for a comprehensive security system that does not involve high upfront investments in IT infrastructure.

'Our customers are increasingly looking for end-to-end managed solutions that offer one-stop convenience and piece of mind, and that is exactly what SingTel can offer,' said Chan Yim Leng, SingTel's vice-president of Business Products.

MSS will be available in two forms, which will allow the service to cater to the specific business requirements of its customers. They will be able to choose from either installing the security equipment at their own premises, or deploying a professionally managed system with infrastructure hosted and taken care of by SingTel.

Business customers here will also be able to subscribe to an Incident Management Service that allows their network to be centrally monitored and security threats to be effectively rectified.

'Companies recognise that rapidly evolving security threats and complex regulatory requirements have turned security into a mission-critical priority,' said Francis Fong, general manager of IBM Global Technology Services, Singapore.

He added that the collaboration will provide critical network security and help clients pre-emptively stay ahead of targeted security threats or attacks.