All internet traffic travels on a network to get to its destination, yet when it comes to IT security, many are still fixated on desktop fixes.
It’s an opportunity for network security vendors and for journalists.
What It Is.
Network security is a big area and includes devices such as firewalls, IPS (intrusion prevention systems), anti-malware as well as Network Access Control (NAC) solutions. A few years back, NAC was all the rage, but that seem to have died down lately -though the technology is still critically important.
Network security products can block attacks before they ever hit a desktop and they can protect the integrity of the network itself.
How to Pitch:
Most IPS vendors have some kind of research which enables them to develop signatures for an attack. Any outbreak (see part 2 of this how-to series) is an opportunity for an IPS vendor.
While there are plenty of journalists that are network focused, an outbreak represents an interesting opportunity to introduce network security to desktop focused journalists as well.
Core networking reporters (use the ITDatabase queries: networking, network security for starters) are also obvious targets.
It’s also a good idea to do the ‘query: Vendor NAME and Tech NAME’ as well since there might be a few specialists that really focus on one particular area.
The Challenge:
There is a perception among some journalists than many items of network security are a commodity today. Firewalls are not the big ticket items they once were and IPS technology has been around for a decade.
The challenge for both PR pros and for journalists is to find the new angles, the context that makes these important technologies relevant to readers.
