VeriSign said in the paper that defensive approaches to security are increasingly insufficient, and that a new proactive approach must be implemented. The deployment of firewalls, Intrusion Detectoin Systems and anti-virus software, while necessary, are merely defensive measures that fail to secure networks against the Internet?s many security threats, the company said.

"The rise of the Internet and related technologies has brought with it both unprecedented promise and unprecedented peril. Enterprises face a strategic dilemma in a business environment that requires being both more open and more secure, while dealing with increasing cost, compliance, and complexity issues," said Stratton Sclavos, chairman and CEO of VeriSign. "This paper discusses the ways in which organizations have tried to resolve this issue in the past, and suggests that we are entering a new stage in the evolution of security, one in which offensive strategies, based on intelligence and control, are needed to strengthen security and realize the promise of technology."

VeriSign's position paper discusses the four key principles behind Security Intelligence and Control Services: Device Independent Integration, Pervasive Security, Collective Intelligence, and Conclusive Action.

"Today's approach to security is ad hoc, insufficient, and relies too much on building 'walls' to keep people out. Not only does that approach need to change, but so does people's mindsets about security," said Judy Lin, executive vice president of VeriSign Security Services. "More than just a necessity, security is a strategic weapon that, when applied and managed properly, enables an organization to grow in a digital economy - reliably, securely, and profitably."

The paper is available for download at verisign.com/security/verisignPOV.pdf.