McAfee Boosts Mobile Security Play, Targets Employee-Owned Devices

McAfee is beefing up its presence in the mobile security device game with the launch of a new Mobile Security Suite and Business Ready Program designed to lock down devices that are employee-owned yet also used for business.

The move to better mobile security comes as mobile device security threats become a major concern and smartphones and tablets evolve into the next big attack target.

For its part, McAfee is targeting devices used by consumers and brought into business environments. McAfee is working with device manufacturers and service providers to protect against mobile device loss, data theft and malware.

The Mobile Security Suite and Business Ready Program bundles together McAfee's WaveSecure and VirusScan Mobile technologies as a single license for McAfee partners, which lets users remotely lock, locate, back-up, wipe and restore stolen or lost devices while also protecting them from mobile device malware threats that can originate via e-mail, instant message, downloads or malicious Web sites.

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McAfee is also planning a "Business Ready" program, which will launch in the second quarter, to give partners the ability to pre-load or load McAfee Endpoint Mobility Management client software with McAfee Mobile Security consumer client technology. Each device that is loaded with WaveSecure, VirusScan Mobile or the mobile suite, will also include the McAfee EMM software to ensure the devices can be brought into the enterprise and secured.

"This enables consumers to purchase a device that is business ready, making it easier for them to bring their device to work, while also enabling McAfee partners to better serve their consumer and enterprise customer segments," McAfee said.

McAfee is upping its mobile device ante as the number of shipments of smartphones and tablets are expected to eclipse PC sales this year, according to IDC.

"The proliferation of mobile devices has really determined the need for protection that can span beyond the consumer to the enterprise," said Todd Gebhart, McAfee senior vice president and general manager of small business, consumer and mobile security. "Our goal is to help our partners differentiate their device or their service, make it easier for our consumer customers to bring their device to work when they're ready, but rest assured that their own data is protected, and enable our business customers to offer guidance to their end-users."

McAfee said that its Mobile Security play offers real-time security against emerging mobile threats that target devices, services and content. VirusScan Mobile protects from viruses and malicious applications, while McAfee EMM software adds secure access to mobile applications to mobile devices, including employee-owned smartphones and tablets.

And as McAfee WaveSecure continues to gain traction on smartphone security, the company has also entered the beta testing phase with partners and end users for a WaveSecure Software version for Google Android tablets. The tablet version is designed specifically to operate with Wi-Fi connected Android tablets and will be available in the second quarter, McAfee said.

The Mobile Security Suite and Business Ready Program bundles together McAfee's WaveSecure and VirusScan Mobile technologies as a single license for McAfee partners, which lets users remotely lock, locate, back-up, wipe and restore stolen or lost devices while also protecting them from mobile device malware threats that can originate via e-mail, instant message, downloads or malicious Web sites.

McAfee is also planning a "Business Ready" program, which will launch in the second quarter, to give partners the ability to pre-load or load McAfee Endpoint Mobility Management client software with McAfee Mobile Security consumer client technology. Each device that is loaded with WaveSecure, VirusScan Mobile or the mobile suite, will also include the McAfee EMM software to ensure the devices can be brought into the enterprise and secured.

"This enables consumers to purchase a device that is business ready, making it easier for them to bring their device to work, while also enabling McAfee partners to better serve their consumer and enterprise customer segments," McAfee said.

McAfee is upping its mobile device ante as the number of shipments of smartphones and tablets are expected to eclipse PC sales this year, according to IDC.

"The proliferation of mobile devices has really determined the need for protection that can span beyond the consumer to the enterprise," said Todd Gebhart, McAfee senior vice president and general manager of small business, consumer and mobile security. "Our goal is to help our partners differentiate their device or their service, make it easier for our consumer customers to bring their device to work when they're ready, but rest assured that their own data is protected, and enable our business customers to offer guidance to their end-users."

McAfee said that its Mobile Security play offers real-time security against emerging mobile threats that target devices, services and content. VirusScan Mobile protects from viruses and malicious applications, while McAfee EMM software adds secure access to mobile applications to mobile devices, including employee-owned smartphones and tablets.

And as McAfee WaveSecure continues to gain traction on for smartphone security, the company has also entered the beta testing phase with partners and end users for a WaveSecure Software version for Google Android tablets. The tablet version is designed specifically to operate with Wi-Fi connected Android tablets and will be available in the second quarter, McAfee said.