IBM Helps Secure Mobile and Instrumented Devices

IBM has announced new initiatives to extend security to the growing number of mobile and instrumented devices beyond an organisation’s own four walls, such as smartphones, ATMs, retail kiosks, traffic systems, meters, buildings and sensors.

By 2015, it’s estimated that there will be one trillion connected devices, many of which will be instrumented with real-time capabilities to respond quickly and accurately to the environment. While this intelligence provides great opportunities, it is also creating emerging security vulnerabilities that companies need to address. Businesses today are tasked with managing thousands of computing devices and ensuring they remain available, secure and at their proper configurations according to policies and requirements. As the risks associated with securing these endpoints grows more complex, the cost of managing and securing them is escalating rapidly.

IBM has unveiled new research projects, software, and services partnerships to help organisations better manage the security of their increasingly intelligent, interconnected and intelligent infrastructures. Highlights include:

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• New endpoint management software to secure PCs, laptops and point-of-sale devices such as ATMs and retail kiosks;

• Investments in R&D to secure mobile smartphones such as Android-based devices, and smart meters; and

• New joint work with Juniper Networks to deliver security services for mobile devices.

“From electrical grids to mobile devices, transportation systems and buildings, the proliferation of these intelligent systems is creating new security loopholes that businesses need to address,” said Steve Robinson, General Manager, IBM Security Solutions. “On today’s smarter planet, everything is an endpoint, and must be managed and secured like any other critical business asset.”