[Infowarrior] - Symantec and Intel Collaborate to Change Security Computing Model

[Richard Forno]

...yeah, yeah, it's a press release.  Interesting stuff, though.  -rf


Symantec and Intel Collaborate to Change Security Computing Model

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/printarticle.asp?Feed=MW&Date=20060424&ID=5
663942

Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced it is working with Intel Corp.
to build security solutions for the new Intel® vPro(TM) technology that will
allow IT managers to effectively manage security threats outside the main PC
operating system (OS). In this isolated virtual environment embedded within
Intel vPro technology, Symantec's security solutions will be more tamper
resistant and always on, monitoring and protecting the desktop.

In the emerging threat landscape, enterprises face security attacks that are
increasing in complexity, frequency, and malicious intent. Additionally, the
window of time between vulnerability disclosure and exploit is shrinking
while the severity of vulnerabilities is increasing. To make the situation
even more challenging, a new type of modular malicious code is increasingly
used to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the operating system and
desktop applications to disable security software on user systems. The end
result is that enterprises are left more vulnerable when only traditional
security protections in the primary OS are installed on the machine.

"By isolating the computer's protection in a virtual environment outside the
main operating system, enterprises will have confidence that the security
itself has not been compromised, that it is always on, and that they can
trust the result that it gives," said Jeremy Burton, senior vice president
of enterprise security and data management, Symantec. "We believe this new
approach will improve security and reduce the overall cost of
administration."

Symantec's solutions for the Intel vPro technology will offer enterprises
several key benefits by taking advantage of the new virtualization
capabilities built into PCs with Intel vPro technology. These capabilities
will allow Symantec to build a tamper-resistant virtual security solution.
The security functionality will operate in a secure environment separate
from the user OS, where it will be unaffected by issues with the user OS. In
the event malware is successful in infecting a desktop environment, the
Symantec virtual security solution will contain the threat on that
particular desktop, isolating it from other network resources. Since this
new solution is built specifically for security and is separate from the
primary OS, it offers IT departments a separate, stable environment from
which to protect the desktop from attacks.

"Intel and Symantec are committed to providing customers with the strongest
and most manageable client security available to small, medium and large
businesses," said Robert Crooke, vice president and general manager of
Intel's Business Client Group. "The combination of Intel vPro technology and
Symantec's virtual security solution will provide a new level of control
over malicious attacks, simplify management, and increase confidence in
endpoint security."

Symantec and Intel's collaboration will focus on providing unprecedented
next generation security solutions during the coming years. Together, the
two companies will aim to provide robust security solutions in a way that is
cost effective for IT administrators, yet gives them an appropriate level of
control and helps ensure system and regulatory compliance on desktop PCs.

About Symantec

Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and
enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their
information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in
more than 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec
Corporation and its products, please visit the Symantec News Room at
http://www.symantec.com/news. All prices noted are in U.S. dollars and are
valid only in the United States.

Symantec and the Symantec Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.
Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Distributed by Market Wire

CONTACT:
Linda Smith Munyan
Symantec Corporation
+1 (415) 738 2686
linda_s_munyan at symantec.com

David Forstrom
Connect Public Relations
+1 (703) 234 5390
davidf at connectpr.com
Copyright 2006 Market Wire