Symantec shifts focus to data security

Symantec is hoping to restore consumer confidence in online transactions

Symantec is expanding its focus from securing devices to protecting information, the company said at an event in New York. 

The 'Security 2.0' initiative will seek to restore consumer confidence in online transactions, while allowing enterprises to expand e-commerce initiatives without compromising security.

Traditional worms and viruses have largely been curbed, the company argued, and online criminals have shifted to stealing confidential information.

Symantec also asserted that technological advances have changed security needs. While at one time it was sufficient to lock down networks and devices, users today require access to data from mobile phones and notebook computers.

The next level of security requires partnerships between security providers in addition to new technology, according to Symantec chief executive John Thompson.
"Security 2.0 is not about some killer app. It's about how a combination of technologies, services and partnerships can deliver a level of confidence that companies must have in this world," he said at the event.

"Today, we argue, people are the perimeter. And as such, we have to think about what security technologies, services and partnerships we create."

Symantec has unveiled partnerships with consulting firm Accenture and security firm VeriSign. 

The company's Security 2.0 initiative spans consumer and enterprise products, Thompson said.

In the consumer space, Symantec plans to add identity services to its current products by supporting the VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) authentication service.

This effectively provides a single sign-on capability to users of Symantec's Norton security products to services such as PayPal, eBay and Yahoo. The firm was unable to say which products will offer VIP support.

Symantec also unveiled the Norton Confidential Online Edition service. Prior to placing an order online, the service can scan the client's system for spyware and other malware. It also checks the website against a blacklist of known fraudulent services.

A software version of the service was launched on Monday targeted at consumers. The online edition targets e-commerce services such as online banks.

Symantec is also looking to create a technology that allows users to rate websites and stores and other users. Although the service in part resembles McAfee's SiteAdvisor, Symantec claimed that its scope would be wider.