Alert Logic Case Study

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Overview

Alert Logic is the leading provider of Security-as-a-Service solutions for the cloud, providing advanced security tools with 24×7 Security Operations Center expertise for more than 2,100 enterprises. These services have become essential, helping customers to defend against security threats and to address compliance mandates. When DPK Public Relations began working with Alert Logic in early 2011, the communications team recognized the untapped potential of the company's data and observations. No other company has the insight into the security threats faced in hosted settings as well as enterprise settings. The idea was to create a periodic report that analyzed the threat landscape and compared security in the enterprise with security in the cloud. The Alert Logic State of Cloud Security Report was born.

Execution

The Alert Logic State of Cloud Security Report was introduced in Spring 2012 and was generally well received. A second report was issued in the fall, and by Spring 2013, Alert Logic was preparing its third Cloud Security Report. Over that period of time, the report had established a foothold in the marketplace as a trusted source of information regarding trends in cloud security. Having patience and committing the substantial resources necessary to allow such a report to establish credibility is essential, but DPK Public Relations understood that the payoff in the form of market awareness and visibility needed to be substantial as well.

Beginning nearly two months in advance of the release of the report -- when the findings were being finalized -- the media relations team began contacting editors, analysts and bloggers to arrange briefings and interviews. In many cases, the targets had limited awareness of Alert Logic, so the discussions were tailored to provide an overview of the organization as well as the report. Each briefing was followed by a debrief to continuously refine and improve the message and delivery.

The Alert Logic team developed a Cloud Security Report landing page on their website where all traffic and inquiries were directed. The internal team also worked with designers to create an infographic showcasing the major findings of the report.

A news release, "Alert Logic Releases 2013 State of Cloud Security Report; Web Application Attacks Remain One of the Greatest Security Threats in Both Enterprise Data Centers and Cloud Environments," was drafted and we negotiated embargo agreements with select business and trade media as well as bloggers so they could review the findings and develop stories prior to the release of the report. On release day, the infographic and news release were distributed via newswire and e-mail, with targeted follow-up to editors we had not briefed.

Results

Media coverage of the Alert Logic State of Cloud Security Report – Spring 2013 exceeded expectations. Below is an accounting of the stories that were posted and published:

CRN Australia: Cloud hit hard in web attacks

CSO: A look at Alert Logic's 2013 'State of Cloud Security' report

CloudTech: Fears of cloud insecurity “should not drive infrastructure decisions”

Cloud Commons: This Week in Cloud: BSA global cloud scorecard, Availability & security issues for AWS users, Cloud computing taxes

Dark Reading: Web Application Attacks Dominate

GigaOMSecurity: Getting to the truth in the enterprise vs. public cloud debate

The Houston Chronicle: Cyberwar is here

The Houston Chronicle: Electronic attacks hit two-thirds of energy companies in study

Houston Business Journal: When it comes to cyber security, is any space secure?

Fuel Fix: Outdated software could cause offshore troubles

Fuel Fix: Hackers hit energy companies more than others

IT Sec (Translated from Russian): Alert Logic: corporate databases ten times more likely to be attacked than a cloud service