Nominumis to use cloud computing to make its updated
domain name service (DNS) software accessible to small and medium
enterprises.
Earlier this year, the firm launched its
Intelligent DNS software to address the security weaknesses of
legacy systems that passively answer network queries.
According to Nominum, whose chief scientist Paul Mockapetris
invented DNS, says the DNS is the perfect place for security as it
touches every internet transaction.
Cloud services based on Intelligent DNS are available from today
through Nominum's new and independent business unit, called
Skye.
"The services will make Intelligent DNS available to smaller
companies that do not have the infrastructure or skills to support
on-premises installations," said Jon Shalowitz, vice-president and
general manger of Skye.
Skye is aimed at making best-of-breed software available on
best-of-breed infrastructure without a huge capital expense up
front, he said.
Existing on-premise Intelligent DNS users will also be able to
use Skye's offerings to add capacity as required at peak times.
"Many organisations that sell products online need additional
capacity at the end of the year to cope with seasonal buying," said
Shalowitz.
Skye will give businesses access to a higher level of internet
security in emerging countries not covered by the 100 large
broadband providers that use Intelligent DNS.
The system automatically combines standard DNS data with
multiple real-time sources of information on phishing, botnets and
malware to block connections to malicious sites.
"Skye is the only cloud-based DNS security system that links to
the largest web caching servers around the world," said
Shalowitz.
The system is able to identify potential threats by monitoring
all DNS activity and allows businesses to connect to third-party
sources of threat information.
Intelligent DNS, which replaces Nominum's caching name server
(CNS), also enables businesses and ISPs to customise policies based
on regulatory requirements.
"This will help UK companies comply with government aims to
ensure a trusted internet experience from all local online service
providers," said Shalowitz.