F4i announces licensing
agreement with MessageLabs to provide integrated email filtering
technology
First 4 Internet, the UK-based developer of advanced software,
announces a worldwide licensing agreement with MessageLabs,
the Internet level email filtering company. First 4 Internet
will license its Image Composition Analysis software to MessageLabs
for inclusion into its SkyScan portfolio of centrally managed
services, which includes anti-virus, anti-pornography, anti-spam
and content filtering protection.
The use of First 4 Internet's Image Composition Analysis software,
which correctly identifies and categorises around 95% of the
images that it scans (source: TesCom), will ensure that MessageLabs'
customers have the tools to block offensive or inappropriate
e-mails. This will safeguard employers from the legal and regulatory
ramifications of offensive images in the workplace whilst helping
to improve worker productivity. According to IDC Research 30%
to 40% of employee Internet activity is not business related
and costs employers millions of pounds in lost productivity.
First 4 Internet's ICA software complements MessageLabs' already ground
breaking technology. MessageLabs has gained a reputation as
the only global virus scanning company who has never let a virus
get through to any of its customers' systems. It was the first
AV company to stop and name the LoveBug and one of the first
to issue an official warning to the press on the outbreak of
the Anna Kournikova virus. By filtering emails at the Internet
level, and analysing virus behaviour, MessageLabs provides an
AV service which is superior to anything else currently on the
market, and which doesn't require virus signatures.
"As a leading provider of managed services which protect customers
from threats such as viruses, unsolicited mail, malicious and
sensitive content and pornography, MessageLabs is an ideal partner
for us," says Mathew Gilliat-Smith, managing director of
First 4 Internet. "It is estimated that 27% of Fortune
500 companies have battled harassment claims stemming from employee
misuse of
e-mail and Internet systems. There is a clear need for technology
to help control this rising problem."
"MessageLabs' Internet level approach has proved unbeatable
in the fight against virus infection," says Ben White,
CEO of MessageLabs. "By incorporating F4i's new technology,
MessageLabs will also be able to intercept pornographic material
before it reaches desktops and network boundaries. This partnership
means we will continue to provide market leading email filtering
technology and services. "
About First 4 Internet
First 4 Internet is a UK-based developer of advanced software
applications. The company headquarters are in Banbury with regional
offices in Cardiff and London and was founded in November 1999.
First 4 Internet's partners include SurfControl and MessageLabs.
First 4 Internet also provides community building software for
brand leaders such as Kellogg's.
About Message Labs
MessageLabs is a leading Managed Services Provider (MSP) specialising
in Internet level email content filtering. Its revolutionary
SkyScan portfolio of services enables customers to be protected
from threats such as viruses, unsolicited mail, malicious &
sensitive content, and pornography, which are all intercepted
before they reach the customers' network boundaries. MessageLabs'
global infrastructure currently extends to the UK, Benelux,
Germany, US and Hong Kong where its service has proven to be
the most advanced of its kind, by being the first company to
intercept the infamous 'Love Bug' virus. MessageLabs works with
some of the world's largest Service Providers including BT,
UUNET, KPN and Cable and Wireless, and customers include Fujitsu,
Rentokil, Vodafone, and the Bank of England. MessageLabs is
part of the Star Technology Group, with over 300 employees across
the globe, and was established in January 2000. For further
information, go to www.messagelabs.com.
For further information, please contact:
Sam Page/Katherine Elmore-Jones
Herald Communications
+44 (0) 20 7 340 6300
[email protected]
/
[email protected]
Mathew
Gilliat-Smith
First 4 Internet Ltd
+ 44 1295 255777
[email protected]
MessageLabs
Helen Desmond
hblmedia
+44 (0) 20 7612 1830
[email protected]