These new consumer and business products, which are part of the McAfee mobile security portfolio, make it easier for device manufacturers and service providers to differentiate their offerings with security safeguards against device loss, data theft and malware, the firm claimed.
According to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone, Media Tablet, and eReader Trackers, December 2010, predicted unit shipments of smartphones and tablets will eclipse PCs in 2011. By the end of 2010, IDC expects more than 21% of all handsets devices shipped to partners worldwide will be smartphones converged mobile devices, the first time this has occurred. In comparison, 15% of all devices shipped in 2009 were smartphones converged mobile devices.
"The proliferation of mobile devices has really determined the need for protection that can span beyond the consumer to the enterprise," said Todd Gebhart, 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 has bundled its WaveSecure and VirusScan mobile technologies as a single license for partners, allowing users to remotely lock, locate, back-up, wipe and restore their stolen or lost devices, while at the same time protecting them against malware threats that originate via email, instant messaging and internet downloads. This McAfee mobile security offering is available immediately to McAfee partners.
The McAfee Business Ready programme, which is set to launch in Q2 2011, will enable partners to pre-load or load McAfee Enterprise Mobility Management (McAfee EMM) client software with the McAfee Mobile Security consumer client technology.
With every device that is loaded with WaveSecure, VirusScan Mobile, or the mobile suite, McAfee will also include the McAfee EMM client, making the device ready to be connected to the enterprise secured by McAfee EMM software. 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 has now entered the beta testing phase with partners and end users for its WaveSecure Software for Android Tablets. This edition is specifically designed to operate with Android tablets that have WiFi connectivity. The product will be available for partners and direct to consumers by Q2 2011.