Symantec and Intel Collaborate

26 April 2006

Symantec and Intel Collaborate to Change Security Computing Model

Isolating Endpoint Security from Main Operating System Increases Enterprise IT Confidence

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced it is working with Intel Corp. to build security solutions for the new Intel® vPro™ 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 protection 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 virtualisation 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.
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