A 'huge step' for computer security

Total Defense, one of Long Island's newest software security sales companies, may not yet be a household name. But the 10-month-old business has two heavy hitters speaking for it: John Walsh of the popular TV show "America's Most Wanted," and former New York Giants football defensive end Michael Strahan.

Walsh and Strahan bring home the idea that Total Defense is all about, well, total defense, said company president Chris Hickey. The company's 12 software products are focused on malware detection and solutions to computer hacking.

"John Walsh is our face," said Hickey. "Strahan is an honest, hardworking guy." Both make appearances for the company from time to time.

Total Defense grew out of Islandia-based CA Technologies Inc. when a group of employees began working together on software security issues. Total Defense became a business unit within CA, with Walsh and Strahan as spokesmen. The unit was acquired last July by a Reston, Va.- based private equity firm, Updata Partners.

Three weeks ago, Total Defense left CA's headquarters for a suite in a Hauppauge office building on Motor Parkway. "That was a huge step," said Hickey, one of about 20 CA employees who left for the new venture.

Total Defense now has about 50 employees on Long Island. Hickey said some 30,000 companies worldwide use its software.

The company's biggest problem at the moment? Finding employees. "I can't find enough people right now," said Hickey, who had worked for CA for 14 years. He plans to hire another 50 people, primarily in sales, by year-end.

Total Defense chief executive Paul Lipman, hired by Updata, said other companies had wanted to acquire Total Defense and move it off Long Island. But he said he liked what he saw on the Island in terms of a "talented workforce." "We made a conscious decision to stay here," Lipman said.