IBM Launches Security Appliance For Intrustion, Web Apps Protection

Intrusion Prevention application security

The device comes preloaded with IBM security software and extends the capabilities of IBM’s X-Force research team to deliver high-performance network security, according to the company.

In conjunction with the release of the appliance, IBM has named Steve Robinson as general manager of IBM Security Solutions, responsible operations, sales and development for security. Robinson reports to Al Zollar, general manger of IBM’s Tivoli Software group. Kris Lovejoy, vice president of IBM Security Strategy, now reports directly to Robinson, according to an internal e-mail from Zollar to IBM employees obtained by CRN.

“Steve will be the IBM security strategy leader, providing guidance to the security offering development teams in software, hardware and services, the marketing teams, as well as the security sales team,” Zollar wrote in the e-mail. “I'm confident that with Steve's leadership we will continue to take share in the market and further advance our quest to become the trusted security advisor to our clients.”

The IBM Security Network IPS features a unified platform where clients can manage automated virtual patch technology, client-side application protection, data security, Web application protection and protection control, according to the Armonk, N.Y.-based vendor.

“Effective threat and vulnerability management needs to focus on preventing problems, not responding to them,” said Robinson in a statement. “Through our new intrusion prevention system, IBM is helping organizations save valuable time and money by giving them a single view of security to better thwart potential threats before their networks can be compromised.”

IBM’s increased focus on security is the culmination of 11 security-related acquisitions since 2006, including Ounce Labs, Internet Security Systems, Watchfire and, earlier this month, Big Fix.

IBM now has more than 3,500 security-focused employees and eight security operations centers across the world.