IBM, Symantec boost cybersecurity portfolios
In separate but similar announcements Monday, IBM and Symantec beefed up cybersecurity offerings with the launch of new services.
IBM released the IBM Threat Protection System and the Critical Data Protection Program — services that are essentially enhancements of existing efforts, but geared more specifically toward enterprises looking to guard critical data from zero-day attacks.
According to Big Blue, the services are the result of two years of internal investments and the acquisition of companies such as Q1 Labs, Trusteer, Guardium, Ounce Labs, Watchfire and Fiberlink/MaaS360.
The Threat Protection System leverages security intelligence and behavioral analytics to disrupt attacks by going beyond traditional defenses and firewalls. The program's end-to-end architecture is built on three pillars: Prevention via the malware blocking Trusteer Apex software; Detection via the QRadar Security Intelligence platform; and Response via the newly formed Security QRadar Incident Forensics.
The new Critical Data Protection Program helps safeguard critical data with security consulting services based on assets from Guardium, StoredIQ and IBM Research.
According to IBM, critical data is the lifeblood of an enterprise and accounts for an estimated 70 percent of the value of a publicly traded corporation. The trick for the enterprise is figuring out what that data is and details surrounding its storage and accessibility — knowledge gaps IBM is stepping up to fill.
Kris Lovejoy, GM of IBM Security Services, said in a statement:
Concerns over the ability to protect critical data from cyber attacks have moved center stage in the board room. Cyber attacks and loss of data have the ability to impact brand reputation, reduce shareholder value and open an organization to litigation. IBM's new software and services are designed to provide these executives with a unique solution that lets them keep their focus on the day-to-day needs of their customers and driving business revenue.
As for Symantec, the protection powerhouse rolled out Symantec Managed Security Services - Advanced Threat Protection (MSS-ATP), and the Symantec Advanced Threat Protection Solution.
MSS-ATP becomes available in June as a managed service that aims to reduce the time it takes to detect, prioritize and respond to security incidents. The service accomplishes that task by producing integration between its endpoint security and third-party network security vendors' products.
Tying it all together is Symantec's Advanced Threat Protection Solution, which is scheduled to be in beta testing within six months and generally available within the next 12 months. Symantec said the end-to-end solution will deliver integrated advanced threat protection across the endpoint, email and gateway to provide critical detection and response capabilities at each respective control point.
Coincidentally, the IBM and Symantec announcements hit the wire the same day Target's CEO resigned following the retailer's massive data breach last year.
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