Symantec announced this week the latest iteration of its data loss prevention suite, Symantec DLP 10, which it will release to the channel starting in December. The new features within DLP 10 primarily focus on better integration within the IT and security infrastructure, more automated remediation options, and improved interaction with other products in the Symantec ecosystem.

The marquee addition is a feature Symantec dubs FlexResponse, a policy-based file protection mechanism that can find unprotected data and works with third-party encryption and ERM (enterprise rights management) solutions from vendors such as GigaTrust, Liquid Machines, Oracle and PGP to apply the appropriate protections based on the client’s established policies.

This will allow channel partners to offer value on top of existing client investments in solutions such as PGP Encryption Platform or Microsoft Active Directory Rights Management Services to offer a more comprehensive data-centric security infrastructure.

The new integration with ERM technologies may help the channel better position DLP with ERM, which have traditionally been viewed as competitive solutions, says Jon Oltsik, principal analyst for Enterprise Security Group.

“While some have viewed DLP and ERM as rival technologies, they are now viewed as complementary technologies and thus coming together,” he said in a statement. “The combination of DLP and ERM provides heightened visibility into data assets, data movement and user behavior, which lowers the risk of data loss and eases compliance efforts.” 

In addition to FlexResponse, Symantec DLP 10 also adds support for X M L and Web services to enable the system to better communicate with a number of enterprise security dashboards and security information and event management systems. Additionally, Symantec DLP 10 will better mesh with Symantec Workflow to offer clients the ability to trigger automated policy-based actions through solutions such as Symantec Endpoint Encryption and Symantec Endpoint Protection.

“We’re a step closer to realizing the vision of true information-centric security by extending content awareness into many layers of security,” said Francis deSouza, senior vice president of Symantec’s Enterprise Security Group, in a statement on the release.

According to a recent survey conducted by IDC on behalf of Dimension Data, more than half of companies are planning on investing in DLP sometime in the near future.