StreamShield’s ZombieCalc helps ISP assess defences

StreamShield Networks, a provider of real-time internet security systems, is offering a new online tool called ZombieCalc to help service providers more accurately calculate the cost of zombie and botnet infections. This may help ISPs reduce risks, improve services for enterprise customers, and enable smoother-running networks.

ZombieCalc is available through the StreamShield web site. It asks service providers to submit a few details before it calculates how much poor security may be costing them.

ISPs are asked how many broadband subscribers they have, what their rate of churn is, how much of this churn is attributable to zombies, and the cost of acquiring new customers. Then ZombieCalc estimates the cost of infection.

The firm said its figures prove that the churn-related costs of zombie activity represent about half of the total cost of zombies for a typical ISP. Geoff Bennett, director of product marketing at StreamShield Networks, said, “whilst ISPs firefight the problem they are missing the opportunity to proactively rid this operational cost from their networks and also boost revenues by offering users protection services”.