February 27, 2009 10:00 ET

New Network Protection Services for Businesses From Blackfoot

MISSOULA, MT--(Marketwire - February 27, 2009) - Blackfoot Telecommunications Group (Blackfoot), Western Montana's leader in voice, data, and network solutions, introduced Network Protection Service (NPS), a managed service that protects and monitors businesses' PCs and servers. With critical customer data and work information residing on their machines, businesses are often at risk of work slowdowns due to viruses that impact an individual PC or the entire local area network (LAN), or worse, business information that is at risk of being compromised or lost. Blackfoot's NPS managed service provides a fast and simple way to resolve business network issues today for peace of mind tomorrow.

"We like the peace of mind of knowing someone is monitoring the security of our network. Blackfoot was able to come in, clean up our PCs, and implement their Network Protection Service. Our machines run smoothly now and we are able to focus on what is important to us; delivering quality building products with impeccable service," said Tim Mellgren of Empire Building Supply in Missoula.

NPS helps Missoula businesses, like Empire Building Supply, by providing the following managed services:

--  Centralized Monitoring: Blackfoot's network operations center links
    directly into the customer business providing timely mitigation of threats
    in the network
    
--  Security Updates:  Active oversight and security updates to Microsoft
    Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista-based computers
    
--  Data Backup Monitoring: Monitor business information tape or hard-
    drive backup system to ensure that critical data, such as customer records,
    files, and documents are properly backed up
    
--  Symantec® Software: Provide Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition, an
    industry-leading software ensuring protection against viruses, spyware,
    adware, and other intrusions
    
--  Priority Customer Support: Unlike other companies, Blackfoot's network
    engineers are on-call day and night. NPS customers have direct access to
    the technical support team, bypassing other calls on the general customer
    service line.
    

Blackfoot provides businesses with a free network audit of their existing PC, server and backup systems. To learn more about NPS or a free network audit, call 406-541-5000, email the Blackfoot business team at business@blackfoot.com, or visit the web at www.blackfoot.com/nps.

Blackfoot's NPS is available to businesses in Alberton, Alta, Avon, Arlee, Charlo, Clinton, Condon, Dixon, Drummond, Haugan, Missoula, Noxon, Ovando, Philipsburg, Plains, Potomac, St. Ignatius, St. Regis, Seeley Lake, Superior, Thompson Falls.

About Blackfoot Telecommunications Group

Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, the Blackfoot Telecommunications Group (Blackfoot) was originally established in 1954 as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative. Blackfoot offers state-of-the-art telecommunications, Internet and data solutions to customers in Missoula and throughout Montana and Idaho. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Blackfoot employs more than 150 Montanans. Blackfoot can be reached at 406-541-5000 or through its web site at http://www.blackfoot.com.