Juniper, Symantec Ally On Enterprise Security

The alliance is aimed at creating an end-to-end security architecture through tighter integration of Symantec's client security software and Juniper's extensive network install base, said Juniper Chairman and CEO Scott Kriens. "Better security intelligence, faster response and comprehensive coverage" is the crux of the Juniper-Symantec partnership, he said.

Plans call for the companies to develop unified threat management (UTM) solutions and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) as well as standards-based, integrated access control and endpoint compliance solutions. Juniper's J-Security Team and Symantec's Global Intelligence Network also will collaborate to deliver security and threat research, and the two vendors will participate in joint sales and marketing initiatives.

In addition, Juniper and Symantec said they will continue to support the Trusted Network Connect (TNC) standard, a set of open access-control specifications for end points connecting to a network.

Symantec, Cupertino, Calif., brings an array of client security technologies to the partnership, and its Global Intelligence Network monitors Internet security threat levels and studies rogue online behavior. Juniper, Sunnyvale, Calif., brings to the table its UTM and intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) portfolio.

The partnership clarifies Symantec's announcement last month that it would be exiting the UTM business. With the alliance, Symantec will lean more on Juniper for network-centric products, according to Symantec Chairman and CEO John Thompson. He said Symantec will stop selling UTM products such as the Symantec Gateway Security 5600 Series but will continue selling PC-based hardware products.

"We are going to get out of the custom hardware development business for UTM-related technologies," Thompson said. "We will rely on our partner Juniper to deliver the hardware capability [for UTMandAmp;#93;."

Symantec typically continues to support products for three years after they have been discontinued, said Jeremy Burton, group president of security and data management at the company. Symantec so far hasn't announced an end-life date for the Gateway Security 5600 but will recommend that partners go with Juniper UTM solutions, he said.

"I anticipate some of the partners will move [to Juniper]. I anticipate some of the partners will not move," Burton said.

The alliance isn't exclusive, so Symantec and Juniper channel partners can continue to sell and deploy security and networking products from other vendors, Thompson said. Still, the performance of Symantec and Juniper security solutions will be significantly enhanced when used together, he added.

Financial terms of the multiyear partnership weren't disclosed. The first results of the deal should begin to arrive in the next 90 to 120 days, according to Burton.

Thompson said a merger of Symantec and Juniper wasn't deemed necessary to accomplish the companies' goals.

"I think it's a partnership that is certainly a statement of our times in our marketplace, where collaboration will be the great dividing line for success in this industry," Thompson said.