Security technology company McAfee announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately owned tenCube, the provider of the WaveSecure mobile security service. The deal will create for McAfee a single platform, from the consumer to the enterprise, to address the management and security of all devices types by adding WaveSecure’s locate, lock, back-up and wipe technology to Trust Digital’s enterprise mobility management and McAfee’s own mobile security technology. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of August.
The WaveSecure security service for consumers allows users to remotely control their devices, manage the data on their phones, ensure privacy in the event of device theft or loss and enhance the possibility of recovering the phone. McAfee also plans to offer a child locator service, using the unique technology from WaveSecure. If a phone is lost, the WaveSecure service lets users remotely locate the phone and pinpoint its location. If the phone's been stolen, they can remotely lock it and/or wipe all of the personal data from the device and its external memory cards.
The phone will automatically go into lock-down mode if it is used with an un-authorized wireless account and inform a user’s emergency contact of its location. WaveSecure locked phones then show a permanent message on the screen explaining how to return the phone to its owner. The application also lets users automatically back-up and restore all of the data stored on their phone including text messages and their address book.
“Mobile devices have become an extension of our lives,” said tenCube CEO Darius Cheung. “Through this acquisition, McAfee can broaden its security capabilities and offer users protection and remote control of the phone whether it is in their possession or not. This means no more worries about the whereabouts of your phone or losing personal contacts, photos or messages.”
The company said the acquisition is expected to help McAfee further establish itself a strong contender in mobile security with a complete set of mobile technologies. McAfee said it now has the technology needed for users to locate, lock, encrypt, protect against malware, wipe, filter, manage, back-up, restore and access their data online. In addition, the company plans to broaden its existing mobile security portfolio beyond anti-malware, data protection, Web security and family protection.
In addition, an expansion of the addressable device market with mobile device platform support is planned, including a range of mobile operating systems including Google Android, RIM’s Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Apple’s iPhone and Java-powered handsets. Following the completion of this proposed acquisition, McAfee said it expects to broaden language support and couple the service with McAfee’s endpoint protection and cloud capabilities.
