VITRO Data Center receives BS 7799 certification
Completes 2nd IS0 9001:2000 accreditation

Manila, Philippines, February 9, 2006 - VITRO Data Center, owned and operated by ePLDT, recently completed its BS7799 information security standard certification for employing an information security management system (ISMS) that is at par with the best practices assuring customers of its quality and appropriateness.

One of the few Philippine companies to garner this distinction, Vitro through its BS7799 information security standard helps identify, manage and minimize the range of threats to which information is regularly subjected.  An organization with BS7799-based ISMS provides a comprehensive set of security controls for implementation, comprising the best information security practices.

VITRO also received its second accreditation for the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management standard.  VITRO’s continued compliance to ISO 9001:2000 ensures its customers that it complies both on global data center specifications and operations.  ISO 9001:2000 is the most widely accepted international standard that provides a framework for effective quality management system.  This system is widely adapted by organizations worldwide as a measure to sustain consistent quality in the field of product and service delivery.

VITRO’s BS 7799 and ISO 90001:2000 certifications were conducted by TUV Philippines, Inc., a division of the TUV SUD Group.  Based in Germany, TUV SUD Group is one of the largest and most experienced global certification bodies.  TUV SUD is also a leading technical service company that is active in strategic business segments and provides inspections, tests and expert opinions aside from certifications and trainings.

Achieving an Information Security Management accreditation is vital, especially to operations like VITRO.  “Because risks and threats to information integrity are ever growing, having a BS 7799 certification is almost a prerequisite for doing business,” said ePLDT Chief Operating Officer Helen T. Marquez.  “Thus, our accreditation under the BS 7799 Information Security standard and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management standard ensures clients that VITRO conducts its operations within a framework of recognized and externally audited management standards.”

“The road to a BS7799 accreditation is not easy; it requires hard work, careful planning, and the dedication of team members,” shared VITRO General Manager Dwight Simon.  “But the benefits of having a BS 7799 certification totally outweigh the cost, because we earn the trust and confidence of customers by making certain that we employ only the best information security management practices.”
 
ePLDT President and Chief Operating Officer Ray C. Espinosa expressed his happiness with VITRO’s achievement.  “We are very proud of VITRO for receiving this accreditation.  This feat is proof of VITRO’s continuing commitment to deliver world class products and services that are truly at par with internationally accepted standards.”

The combined compliance clearly differentiates VITRO services in the market.  VITRO is the first data center in the Philippines to attain accreditation to BS 7799 and ISO 9001:2000.  This is the main reason why it is now the preferred provider of data center services in the country and the Asian region.  VITRO currently supports a variety of organizations ranging from government agencies, content providers and financial institutions.  It offers collocation, server hosting and management, managed storage solutions, managed security solutions, disaster recovery and other support solutions for consumers and enterprise markets.