U.K. Utility Tests Multiple Security Features

Like government offices, hospitals, and police departments, electric utilities need to be dependable to maintain public safety. That makes computer-systems security a top priority

RWE NPower, the power-generating and electric utility company that provides service in England and other parts of the United Kingdom, is looking for a single box that will update itself as new security threats emerge, enforce security policies, and handle a growing spam problem. The utility has used Clearswift Ltd.'s MimeSweeper E-mail monitoring software for five years, and it is now testing MimeSweeper SMTP, a security appliance due this summer that includes E-mail monitoring, new anti-spam software, preset security policies that customers can modify, and a choice of antivirus software.

The appliance uses bidirectional content filtering to handle inbound and outbound E-mail threats. It also has a browser-based interface that lets security administrators quickly generate graphical reports or schedule them for delivery later.

Lee Buchanan, a messaging systems specialist at RWE NPower, is testing the Clearswift product and isn't ready to pass judgment, but he likes the idea of an appliance that doesn't require much manual work. "An appliance is even more suitable for us when it automates updates and scanning filters," he says. "It should make my job a lot easier."