VeriSign launches uptime e-commerce bundle

Online authentication firm VeriSign has launched three cloud-based services designed to help online retailers reduce downtime, improve performance and availability, and mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks and other threats.

Released in time for the busy Christmas shopping period, which can generate over a third of annual sales for some retailers, the eHoliday Uptime bundle combines a DNS Availability, Network Availability and Application Availability service.

DNS Availability features VeriSign's managed DNS service to ensure web site availability and reduce costs associated with maintaining DNS infrastructure, according to the firm.

The Network Availability component uses VeriSign's Internet Defense Network to provide customers with a scalable DDoS monitoring and mitigation service.

Finally on offer is a real-time threat intelligence service from VeriSign's iDefense managed security services arm, designed to provide online retailers with the information they need to block threats from malware and application vulnerabilities.

"The DNS failures and DDoS outages experienced by many companies last year emphasises the high cost of downtime during the holidays," said Ben Petro, senior vice president of VeriSign’s Network Intelligence and Availability business.

"We want every company that depends on their web site for sales to have access to best-of-breed offerings that defend against the primary threats to availability."

Ted Julian, principal analyst at Yankee Group, said that to be forced offline in the festive season could lead to losses of millions of dollars for the top online retailers.

"Ensuring availability should be a primary objective for retailers and online businesses at all times," he added.

The launch of the eHoliday Uptime bundle coincides with this week's E Commerce Expo taking place at London's Olympia. V3.co.uk will be covering all the news from the show and we have a dedicated e-commerce blog for our event coverage.