Launching the 'certified vulnerability assessor course' in partnership with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in Chennai Saurabh B Dani, vice chairman and director, sales, marketing and business development, said Secure Matrix is open to different marketing arrangements.

"Initially we will conduct the courses at our labs set up in Mumbai and Chennai at considerable cost."

The five-day course (fees Rs20,000) is being targeted at the officials of business process outsourcing and other information technology companies. "The course enables a person to assess the organisation's IT vulnerability using necessary tools. After the five-day session, the participants will have to undergo a test and those who qualify will be awarded the certificate by DNV," said M L Srinivasan, director-Technical & CTO.

According to company chairman Niranjan V Pattni, information security is much talked about but least acted upon subject. Citing a Nasscom report that states India is losing around $8 billion (Rs35,000 crore) worth of outsourcing business due to information security concerns he said there is a huge market for certification of companies in ISO 27001/BS 7799 standards.

Secure Matrix will also conduct the certification course in Middle East and the UK. "Outside India, DNV will lend necessary assistance in conducting the course," said N R Krishna Kumar, country manager, DNV (South Asia).