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Keeping IT Safe, Secure

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

Aug. 30--Perched above Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo is a small office that's helping to keep the nation's finances and information secure.

InfoGard, a federally accredited security lab, works with government, high-tech companies and major financial institutions to test the security of ATMs, credit cards, postal systems, cryptography and more.

Founded by Maclynn Brinton and Les Biggs in 1993, the company works with clients from more than 25 countries, as well as large financial institutions such as Visa and Mastercard.

"We don't sell or make any equipment," said Brinton. "We're the middlemen -- the trusted third party."

It is the only federally accredited lab on the West Coast that does both government and financial validations, and one of three labs in the world approved to test financial products, such as credit card machines. Before vendors can sell their products, such as a credit card machine, they must get approved by a lab such as InfoGard.

As use of computers and online transactions becomes increasingly common, protecting personal information is critical, Brinton said.

"These days the economy demands the same kind of (high-tech) security that the military used to use to keep its secrets."

What you see: The second-story office can easily go unnoticed while one strolls along Higuera Street. It's only accessible by an elevator, and its simple structure of small cubicles and numerous bookshelves makes it look like an attorney's office, said Biggs.

Employees meet throughout the day to discuss their assignments and test the security of the products they're working on.

The items range from simple PC software to the highest level of security. The company has tested products for the U.S. government, but has also worked on cellular phone security.

Much of what consumers use is affected by InfoGard in one way or another, said Brinton.

"Everyone is affected by what we do," said Brinton. "Whether you're mailing a letter, paying taxes or using a credit card."

What they see: Since the company is constantly testing the security of high technology such as online banking, Brinton said finding trustworthy employees is essential. Half of the company's 35 employees are Cal Poly graduates, and most of them have degrees in business or computer science.

As the high-tech industry evolves, the company must remain current on the latest tools and programs, Brinton said.

"Because of hackers and terrorist threats, what we knew last month might need updating this month," he said.

What they like: The security industry keeps the firm on the cutting edge of technology, said Les Biggs.

"You always have to be on it," he said. "You're expected to be in the lead."

Brinton added that their work allows them to travel around the world and meet international clients.

"Our line of work is dynamic," he said. "We get to travel a lot but we also get to welcome international visitors who look forward to visiting this area."

What they would change: The secretive nature of their job, as well as working with cutting-edge technology, makes it difficult to educate others about InfoGard.

"It's a complex business model," said Brinton. "Anyone involved with us takes a while to understand what we do."

Name: Maclynn Brinton and Les Biggs

Business: InfoGard

Address: 641 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Online: www.infogard.com

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)

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