Proofpoint, Social@Ogilvy and industry thought leaders join forces to drive safety and security for social media

SUNNYVALE, Calif., – November 12, 2014 – Proofpoint, Inc., (NASDAQ: PFPT), a leading security-as-a-service provider, and Social@Ogilvy, a worldwide practice connecting social media experts, today launched the first Social Media Security Council (SMSC) to help organizations better protect their corporate social infrastructure. With a membership that includes Yahoo, Morgan Stanley and other global organizations, SMSC is an authoritative source equipped with defensible best practices that enables marketing, security and compliance professionals to leverage, more safely, social media communication.

“We operate in a world in which social media holds great potential but also presents certain challenges," said Mike Kail, Yahoo Chief Information Officer and Social Media Security Council member. “The Social Media Security Council can help businesses navigate these challenges to build and protect their corporate social infrastructure.”

A global, cross-functional group of experts that spans departmental silos, the Social Media Security Council fosters discussions, conducts research and provides thought leadership about brand protection, technology and compliance risks associated with social technologies.

Initial board members represent industries including news and entertainment, banking and financial services, technology and life sciences with roles across digital marketing, information security and compliance. By focusing on the proactive identification/mitigation of social media risk and threats, Proofpoint will help the SMSC establish best practices for defensible policies and procedures.

“The increased use of social media in business presents new challenges for organizations,” said Mitchell Bompey of Morgan Stanley and Social Media Security Council member. “I joined the Social Media Security Council because it is important to openly discuss social media risk, and to learn from others not just in the financial services industry, but in other business sectors as well.”

Attracting regulators and hackers alike, social media channels introduce new types and levels of corporate risk. According to a recent study by Proofpoint’s Nexgate division, the average Fortune 100 company has 320 company-owned social accounts and more than 200,000 followers. Just like email and other communication channels, companies need to track, manage and protect their social communication infrastructure. These social accounts are all subject to a range of security and compliance challenges, including fraudulent accounts, spam messages, compliance violations, malware and personal threats. Such malicious acts have caused stock price manipulation, brand degradation, theft of customer data, and have undermined enterprise investments in social media.

“The rise in social media infrastructure is staggering—it is irrefutably part of every corporate communication channel mix,” Devin Redmond, vice president and general manager of Nexgate for Proofpoint and Social Media Security Council member. “One of the key challenges with social is its consumerized nature and that it lives outside of the traditional enterprise infrastructure. Our research indicates that social media has escaped the focus and attention it deserves from key stakeholders. The Social Media Security Council is a key forum for driving cross-functional awareness and sharing guidance for how to protect this powerful new channel.”

To ask the SMSC a question about social media risk, to invite a member to speak, or to contribute to a publication, please submit your request at http://socialmediasecuritycouncil.com/contact-us/

“Social media holds great benefits and opportunities for many companies that are wary to embrace them due to risks,” said, Evan Shumeyko, senior director of Engagement Strategy, Social@Ogilvy. “The Social Media Security Council can help these organizations thrive in today’s social world and harness the power of social media to deliver value far beyond their marketing and communications goals.”

Senior practitioners with social media risk management experience, interested in advancing social media risk reduction, may request membership in the Social Media Security Council at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Social-Media-Security-Council-8136844/about.

Interested parties are encouraged to follow the SMSC on Twitter @SoMe_Security or visit www.socialmediasecuritycouncil.com to learn more.

About Proofpoint, Inc.
Proofpoint Inc. (NASDAQ:PFPT) is a leading security-as-a-service provider that focuses on cloud-based solutions for threat protection, compliance, archiving & governance, and secure communications. Organizations around the world depend on Proofpoint’s expertise, patented technologies and on-demand delivery system to protect against phishing, malware and spam, safeguard privacy, encrypt sensitive information, and archive and govern messages and critical enterprise information. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com.

About Social@Ogilvy
Social@Ogilvy is the world's largest network of social media strategists. Named 2013 Global Digital/Social Consultancy of the Year by The Holmes Report, the practice leverages social media expertise across all Ogilvy & Mather disciplines, offering an extensive list of services within the foundational business solutions -- Listening and Analytics; Social Business Solutions; Social Media Marketing and Communications; Social Shopping; Social CRM; Social Care; and Conversation Impact™.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Patricia Hogan
Proofpoint, Inc. 
408-763-3863 
phogan@proofpoint.com