POLL - Would you outsource antivirus solutions?

[SagaLore]

I'm considering setting up a consultation company, specifically for antivirus security. The company would take care of licensing, installing, maintaining, and cleaning up outbreaks for other corporations, colleges, government agencies. Might even put in a home user devision...

If you work in IT, or are in the upper management of a company, would you consider going this route?

I think the costs of outsourcing antivirus would make up for the time and money it takes to recover from an outbreak or train someone to do it internally. Websites, Routers, Telecom are all outsourced. So would this venture stay afloat?

 

[crystal]

Just wondering, how are you going to cover the cost of damage/lost/etc. files & stuff that virus causes (i.e. somehow go through your system)

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: crystal
Just wondering, how are you going to cover the cost of damage/lost/etc. files & stuff that virus causes (i.e. somehow go through your system)

Not to mention coming up with a value of the file that will need to be reimbursed. It sounds to me like it would be a type of insurance. How can you insure something like that?

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: crystal
Just wondering, how are you going to cover the cost of damage/lost/etc. files & stuff that virus causes (i.e. somehow go through your system)

Now see, this is why every intelligent businessman needs to post on ATOT, to make sure they've considered all angles.

I didn't consider that.

Actually as far as any downtime, file loss, etc. the company could not hold us liable, as would be signed in contract. But I suppose this will definitely cause some major legal issues...

Maybe I should reconsider "maintaining" the softare for the clients. Perhaps instead, we'd install it, and help clean up outbreaks, but provide *training* for appointed personnel within the company. Then we could provide tech support for the user but they would be held responsible for the product.

---

What does Norton, Mcafee, Command, Sophos, CA, etc. do? I don't think the thought has ever crossed my mind that our antivirus vendor was responsible for our infections. Nor do I think upper management has ever thought that it was my fault as the administrator that there were infections regardless of our software.

So would this really be a concern for me?

 

[LaBang]

nah, I use a mac!

 

[bsobel]

My question would be about your ability to respond to an outbreak. Cleaning up infections here and there is nice, but when a bunch of clients get hit at once, how will you respond?
Bill

 

[vi edit]

I already do outsource it - Trend scan mail is my new best friend

What's the saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

 

[crystal]

What is it you offer (a subset of IT responsibilities) that is different from other companies that provide the full suite/services in IT support? And yes, a lot of companies already outsourced their IT department.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: crystal
What is it you offer (a subset of IT responsibilities) that is different from other companies that provide the full suite/services in IT support? And yes, a lot of companies already outsourced their IT department.

Special focus. Just as we keep our IT department separate from telecom, and we also outsource our Router work. Nobody can be experts in everything... but this proprosed company would be an expert in virus security.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Viruses? Nah, I carry protection in my wallet/purse

That answer is so incredibly funny that I just had to vote for it

nik

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: bsobel
My question would be about your ability to respond to an outbreak. Cleaning up infections here and there is nice, but when a bunch of clients get hit at once, how will you respond?
Bill

Split up my team.

This is where it would be extremely important to prevent outbreaks.