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The Antivirus Commodity Paradox
In its Market Analysis report mentioned earlier, iDC defines antivirus software as "software that identifies and/or eliminates harmful software and macros. it scans hard drives, e-mail attachments, floppy disks, Web pages and other types of electronic traffic, [(e.g. instant messaging and short message services (SMS)] for any known or potential viruses, malicious code, trojans, or spyware."
As reported by Mathew Schwartz, contributing writer to SearchSecurity.com, industry analysts deem the antivirus market as highly commoditized, yet this isn't reflected in today's antivirus pricing.
Cara garretson of NetworkWorld.com, reporting on the gartner it Security Summit, writes that it's time organizations consider switching from best of breed to "best of need" products when it comes to security, as vendors realize their offerings are becoming commoditized. She quotes Neil MacDonald, vice president and distinguished analyst at gartner, "there's a trend of security protection convergence where you can get more functionality for about the same price."
This is where "best of need" products come to play, writes Garretson. "Companies are beginning to offer a number of products or services that are related with better pricing and easier management because they are integrated and share a common interface."
Historically Well Positioned to Offer an Antivirus Solution
Research firm Gartner, Inc. reports that companies have traditionally avoided changing antivirus vendors due to the perceived security risk that switching vendors didn't outweigh the potential cost benefits. Now with the commoditization of antivirus solutions, organizations are less apprehensive of change, but they still aren't about to change if they feel they will compromise their security by doing so.
For more than 19 years, LANDesk has developed and delivered cost-effective, intelligent systems and security management solutions controlled from a single console to simplify it management of desktops, servers and mobile devices. This product history also encompasses antivirus solutions.
For example, during the period that LANDesk was part of intel (1991- 00 ), it developed an antivirus solution that was subsequently purchased by a leading security software vendor and is still on the market today.
Concerning support for third-party antivirus solutions, LANDesk Security Suite has offered customers the ability to manage their existing McAfee, Norton, Sophos, Symantec or trend-Micro antivirus solution directly from the single LANDesk Security Suite console. While LANDesk will continue to support these antivirus solutions, its customers are asking LANDesk to leverage its management expertise and build it into its suite solution. Adding antivirus functionality and the capability to quarantine and encrypt infected or suspicious files that can't be cleaned enables customers to realize immediate value and increased device security.
In evaluating whether or not to offer an antivirus solution, it was critical to LANDesk that the solution:
1. Be world-class. LANDesk was not interested in re-inventing the wheel. Being able to offer a recognized, well-established antivirus solution was paramount. Customers cannot assume any risk in moving to a new vendor; the solution must be proven.
2. Be manageable from the LANDesk console so that corporate antivirus would be managed from the same console as the rest of the enterprise network.
3. Be competitively priced. Customers are looking to reduce their annual subscription costs.
The Power Behind LANDesk Antivirus Technology
LANDesk licensed Kaspersky Lab's antivirus engine (version 5.0) and signature database as the basis for LANDesk Antivirus 8.7. LANDesk has developed a proprietary user interface (configuration options in the single LANDesk management console), end-user options and messages on managed devices, as well as additional agent or client services that work with the antivirus engine. This combination of engine and user interface allows customers to manage their security policies using a single management console and existing signature file delivery system for a reduced cost.
Founded in 1997 and more widely known in Europe and Asia, Kaspersky Lab is an internationally renowned vendor of security software and its antivirus products consistently earn awards from leading it publications and testing labs. Kaspersky consistently demonstrates that it is an exceptional antivirus provider, having won more than 100 awards in antivirus industry comparisons and tests.
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