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12.03.2008
RandomStorm Swings IT with the PGA

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In future the UK's elite golfers will be able to have even greater confidence that their personal and banking details will be safe in the hands of their professional association thanks to RandomStorm's vulnerability management service.

The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) is the latest high profile organisation to sign up to RandomStorm's network security scanning service, xStorm. The online system enables the PGA's IT team to schedule regular scans of their internal networks for weaknesses that could be used to compromise the association's security systems and potentially lead to members' data, held on the network, becoming open to possible cyber-crime.

Regular network security scanning audits are now a critical element of many corporate security best practice procedures and are mandatory for organisations that process card payments under the PCI DSS compliance process. xStorm can be used to ensure that changes to the network configuration or issues such as missed software upgrades have not triggered a potential vulnerability in the network defences as well as providing the required quarterly certification for the PCI authorities.

The xStorm service has been designed to be accessible using a standard Internet browser and includes an intuitive management dashboard to enable users to schedule scans as often as necessary depending on the complexity of the network and type of organisation. Once scheduled the scans run automatically providing detailed reports and management information on the type and seriousness of any threats that are identified together with professional remediation advice.

The PGA has over 7,500 members, including some of the most famous names in the golfing world, and provides a range of specialist services via the members' secure area on its corporate Web site.

"Although we have invested heavily in the latest security software the network can only be as secure as the last time it was audited. The hacker community is highly organised and is continuously scanning the Internet for vulnerable Web servers and we need to be one step ahead of them." said Geraint Lewis, IT Manager, at the PGA. "As well as providing us with a tool to regularly check our security status the xStorm service also enables us to stay compliant with the latest PCI regulations which is important for us to ensure we can continue to offer many of the online services that our member's expect from us."

Speaking for Randomstorm Robin Hill commented "As a keen amateur golfer myself I am delighted that the PGA has chosen Randomstorm as its vulnerability management partner. It is great to know that our technology will be helping to protect many of my personal heroes from having their digital identity stolen."

ENDS

For more information contact Stephen Meredith or Robin Hill on 0845 643 0995

About RandomStorm

www.randomstorm.com

RandomStorm is a UK based software development company formed in 2007 focussed on providing enterprise level, proactive security management tools. The company's core products include an online vulnerability scanning service, xStorm and a network security appliance which enables in depth scanning of the entire corporate network topology. The two core products are supported by a range of complementary monitoring, alerting and remediation services.

About the PGA

www.pga.org.uk

The PGA is a members' organisation for golf professionals. It has been at the heart of the game since 1901, when professionals of the day formed an organisation to protect the professionals' interests and promote the game of golf. Now based at Centenary House at the famous Belfry, scene of four Ryder Cups, the Association is flourishing with more than 7,500 members.

Many are club professionals specialising in the core subjects of coaching and retailing, but increasing numbers are occupying managerial roles within golf clubs and resorts, both at home and abroad with 1,600 members working overseas. The PGA is dedicated to training and serving golf professionals whose principal aim is to offer a highly professional service to amateur golfers at a club, driving range or other golfing establishments.