McAfee, Inc. Securing Devices for Work, Personal Life and Commerce

McAfee, Inc. hopes to set a new standard in mobile device security with the release of their new Mobile Security Suite, Business-ready Program, and Beta of McAfee WaveSecure software for Android tablets. These new consumer to business-ready solutions, which are part of the McAfee mobile security portfolio, are meant to make it easier for device manufacturers and service providers to differentiate their offerings with security safeguards against device loss, data theft and malware.

McAfee has now 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” program, 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.

Smartphones and Tablets Gaining Momentum

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) “Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone, Media Tablet, and eReader Trackers,” December 2010, IDC predicted unit shipments of smartphones and tablets would eclipse PCs in 2011. By the end of 2010, IDC expects more than 21 percent of all handsets devices shipped to partners worldwide will be smartphones converged mobile devices, the first time this has occurred. In comparison, 15 percent 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 Mobile Security is targeting consumer and enterprise market needs in offering a real-time defense against emerging threats that target mobile devices, mobile services and mobile content. McAfee WaveSecure software, which is available in 16 languages, has achieved more than a million downloads direct to consumers. McAfee WaveSecure was designed to enable users to enjoy a worry-free mobile lifestyle — users can find their missing phone with alarm and location tracking, prevent misuse with remote lock and wipe and preserve important memories and personal data with remote backup, even from a lost or misplaced phone.

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.

McAfee VirusScan Mobile software protects mobile devices from viruses and malicious applications by automatically scanning and cleaning files, emails, Internet downloads, text and MMS messages, and attachments while keeping critical communication features working. McAfee notes that their VirusScan Mobile software requires minimal mobile computing and memory resources, allowing users to access their devices’ functions, without interruption. VirusScan Mobile software solution is also available as a Software Development Kit (SDK) for OEM customers to use for embedded systems. The company says that the solution has already been shipped in over 100 million mobile devices.