Symantec shifts Backup Exec to the cloud

Symantec

Symantec has unveiled cloud and appliance-based delivery models for its Backup Exec technologies, in a bid to cater to small and medium sized businesses (SMBs).

The updated Backup Exec software - announced at Symantec's Vision 2011 conference this week in Las Vegas - is available from today, whilst Backup Exec.cloud and appliance solutions will not be ready until later this year.

"Customers want choice in how they manage their backup environment, and Symantec is leading the transformation of the backup market with new appliances, cloud and enhanced software for Backup Exec," said Amit Walia, vice president of product management at Symantec.

"The future of backup will be defined by simplicity, flexibility, and allowing companies to deploy a modern infrastructure that best fits their needs."

Symantec revealed its plans for the future of backup too, introducing V-Ray technology embedded into Symantec NetBackup and Backup Exec.

It is designed to give greater vision into virtualised environments, providing one solution to cover physical and virtual machines.

Targeting APTs

Symantec has also offered protection from Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) with two updated security products.

Both Symantec Endpoint Protection 12 and Protection Centre 2.0 are designed to counter APTs, which have been under the security spotlight this year thanks to attacks on the likes of RSA.

Symantec unveiled Endpoint Protection 12 in February, but the beta programme went public today, enabling companies trial the tech ahead of commercial release.

The software uses Symantec's cloud-based reputation technology Insight to block risky files from getting into the corporate network.

Protection Centre 2.0 summarises and prioritises threats, providing firms with intelligence from across their security portfolio to identify trends in areas like malware or spam.

The Protection Centre product comes fully wrapped up with Symantec Endpoint Protection 12, which will be commercially available later this year.

Tom Brewster

Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.

He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.