Endpoint Protection

It was announced on the 31st July 2009 that Mcafee intends to purchase Mx Logic. According to the Mcafee website, Mx Logic is a leading global provider of cloud-based email and web security, archiving, and business continuity services. The deal is expected to close at the end of the third quarter 2009 subject to legal approval. The purchase price is reported at $140 million.

This follows the purchase by Symantec of MessageLabs towards the end of 2008 for a cool $700M. It is clear that Mcafee has Symantec firmly in its sights posting good second quarter (first quarter 2010)  results as opposed to Symantec’s disappointing ones. So what is going on? It is clear that both Symantec and Mcafee have built a comprehensive suite of security products to help customers protect their environments and both have security managed services to support their customers. However, the play for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the next big thing. Customers are tired of buying licenses and managing complex environments which is not the core business. So if services such as email, archiving, security can be obtained from the cloud with commensurate savings in cost then there is a clear opportunity. Symantec’s purchase of MessageLabs was a clear move in this direction and hence the Mcafee purchase. However, devlivery models for these services have yet to be defined properly. Customers have tended to purchase bespoke services and are happy to work with specific suppliers. Also, using SaaS services has been small so easy to manage. However, as the market develops, customers will tend to purchase from providers who offer a complete range of services not just security or storage. Can Symantec and Mcafee services be delivered through a third party?

And what of integration? The key to success is how quickly can purchased products be integrated into the existing porfolio. For instance, Symantec purchased Vontu for DLP several years ago but it still does not integrate well with the Altiris platform. If Mcafee can integrate MX Logic products and services to deliver other Mcafee products then they will have a distinct advantage. It all comes down to making the customers life easier at lower cost. Well that is my opnion anyway!!

The recent acquisition of DLP vendrs by the more traditional virus scanning giants might give the impression that the market is now the domain of the big players. Such acquisitions such as Symantec buying Vontu, McAffee buying Safeboot and the EMC/RSA acqusition of Tablus has shown the DLP market is real and worth investing cash in order to get big quickly. But the DLP market is growing and developing and, so far, no one has the complete answer. Large security companies are still developing their strategy such as Kaspersky labs to name but one.
However, not all DLP start-ups have been consumed as the Network World article shows. They have reviewed the small independants to show that the small guys are still worth taking seriously. See the link below to see the full article.
http://www.networkworld.com/research/2008/010708-data-leak-prevention-watch.html?nlhtsec=rn_051309&nladname=051309securityal