Symantec, VMware Build Virtualization Security Relationship

Written by Dave Courbanou 1
March 2, 2012

Symantec and VMware are making their relationship more intimate, bringing new security integration across VMware’s suite of virtualization technology. VARs working the virtual space or security vendors looking to provide some increased incentive may want to check out what these two tech giants are doing …

As virtualization and the cloud proliferate, Symantec seeks to better protect (and penetrate) both technologies. Working with VMware, Symantec and has outlined five new security-level integrations within VMware’s cloud technology. They are:

Data Loss Prevention: Symantec’s DLP technology now lives inside the VMWare vShield App, allowing IT admins (or VARs) to take a closer look at where sensitive information and moving across the entire network of virtualized solutions.
Symantec Control Compliance Suite: Rogue VMs bringing down your network? Unauthorized physical or virtual devices leeching on your infrastructure? Not anymore. Now with vSphere integration, Symantec protection technology can ensure everything from HIPAA compliance to something simple such as a VM setting that could pose a security risk.
Critical System Protection: ESX hypervisors and vCenter technologies now can enjoy “granular, policy-based controls,” courtesy of Symantec. Short and sweet: Unauthorized services and zero-day attacks won’t slow you down.
Symantec Security Information Manager: Coming sometime in the summer of 2012, VMware’s vShield log collector will integrate with Symantec’s Security Information Manager, providing a massive overview of all activities on the network and allowing an IT admin to see what activities may be harmful to the network, either internally or externally leaking through. Physical devices are additionally secure with this solution.
Symantec Managed Security Services: If you wanted more out of vShield log integration, then Managed Security Services can give you that, with an expansion to monitoring of cloud environments, plus “edge-to-endpoint visibility.” This technology also is slated for a summer 2012 release.

How deep is this love between VMware and Symantec? Consider this level of integration the cocktail hour, and the full-blown party between Symantec and VMware is expected as Symantec integrates its endpoint security offerings with VMware vShield Endpoint later in 2012.