Symantec to Update Its DLP Suite

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.