Symantec moves into managed services

Symantec will launch its 'Genesis' managed security offering next week

Security firm Symantec is planning to launch its first managed security offering next week, codenamed 'Genesis'.

The subscription service will take Symantec's current offerings and provide a single managed service to stop viruses, phishing and spam.

Analyst firm Ovum said that the service will also include data back-up and PC optimisation technology, as well as a secure site for holding e-commerce details.

"This announcement must have been on [Symantec chief executive] John Thompson's mind at the Q3 results announcement on Tuesday when he spoke about addressing the security concerns of real people," said Graham Titterington, principal analyst at Ovum.

"However, it also demonstrates that Symantec is not leading Microsoft as Thompson claimed, but rather the reverse. Microsoft announced its OneCare offering nine months ago."

Titterington predicted that the back-up side of the business will prove to be the biggest market for Symantec, as such a service for consumers and small businesses could easily outstrip any revenues to be made from stopping malware.