Royal & Sun Alliance teamed with the UK-based information security management firm to develop a commercial version of the product, which aims to prevent attacks on corporate networks from both internal and external sources.

Iconium says ESP complements other security systems - such as firewalls and virus protection. The system monitors an organisation's network in real time and automatically alerts staff to any unusual activity via browser-based console and e-mail messaging.

Designed to comply with ISO-17799, the international standard for Information Security Management, the product is able to monitor and report on 6500-event types on a range of network devices. ESP agents sit on servers and workstations throughout a user organisation and detect defined types of violations as they occur.

John Potter, a managing director at Iconium, says although the most publicised side of IT security is focussed on attacks from the outside, more security breaches come from inside organisations.

"Our mission is to provide a virtual information security guard that has its eye on infringements that might be cause for serious concern, such as changes to critical files, or repeated incorrect log-ons," says Potter.

ESP is available on software licence purchase or rental. Prices are charged on a per server and per workstation basis. Agents start at £290 per server and £29 per workstation for less than 100 servers. The ESP management server software costs £7500. There are price break discounts based on quantity and two levels of maintenance.

Iconium says an enterprise of 45 servers and 190 workstations would cost in the region of £53,000 or, on a three year rental, £1344 per month (£47,700 over the period). Competitive products from such companies as such as IBM and Computer Associates can be as much as 100% more, claims the firm.