VMworld: EMC rolls out virtualisation compliance offering

EMC has unveiled software designed to bring the firm's security and compliance tools to virtualised systems.

The RSA Solution for Cloud Security and Compliance allows companies to operate security and policy management platforms within VMware virtualised systems.

The offering uses components of EMC's Archer eGRC governance and compliance system along with a number of specific controls and components to enforce policy rules within virtual machines.

EMC claimed that the tool will help facilitate the move from conventional IT infrastructure and operations to virtualised and cloud computing platforms by adding a way for administrators to better enforce compliance and security regulations.

"Our customers are excited about the opportunity to continue extending and optimising their use of virtualisation, but are hesitant unless they can deliver proof of compliance against security standards such as PCI or HIPAA and VMware best practices," said RSA chief technology officer Bret Hartman.

"Today RSA is delivering the first step to give customers the capability and confidence to extend their VMware deployments to handle business-critical applications, while providing a simpler and easier way to help ensure compliance for cloud infrastructures."

The move is the latest in a steady migration of security tools to the VMware hypervisor platform. Many vendors have touted the security and efficiency advantages brought by embedded security tools at the virtual appliance level.