Nortel and Symantec seal security alliance

Nortel has sealed an alliance with Symantec to develop security systems capable of identifying and eliminating potential threats deep within service provider and enterprise networks.

The first fruits of the ongoing collaboration will be a high-performance security engine combining Nortel's hardware-accelerated deep-packet inspection systems and Symantec's security technology.

The prototype, based on Nortel's application switch technology, is designed for data centre deployment in existing switched-network infrastructures. It tracks and stops threats using signatures updated in near real time by Symantec's LiveUpdate technology.

"Service providers are positioned to be the first line of defence against many of today's threats to critical communications around the world," said Bill Owens, president and chief executive at Nortel.

John Thompson, chairman and chief executive at Symantec, added: "Embedding security at the network level complements a broader defence-in-depth strategy critical to protect against today's threats."

This new relationship is spelled out in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Nortel and Symantec. Development and delivery of specific products and services are subject to execution of a binding agreement between both companies.