Borderware Shakes Up Security Gateway Market with 8.0 Release

| Sep 12, 2008 | Enterprise Security | Competitive Update

| Analyst: Paula Musich

Current Perspective: Positive
Vendor Importance: High
Market Impact: Moderate

Event Summary

September 8, 2008 –- Borderware Technologies launched version 8.0 of its Borderware Security Platform, which combines for the first time Web and messaging security with data leakage prevention under a common management interface. With a single appliance customers can secure inbound and outbound web and email traffic and manage policy and reporting under a single interface. The appliance is designed to reduce cost and administrative overhead.

Analytical Summary

• Current Perspective: Positive on Borderware’s Security Platform 8.0 launch, which integrates Web and messaging security with data leakage protection under a single reporting and administrative interface. Borderware with its integration of those functions along with management in a single appliance is aiming to reduce the cost and complexity of securing Web and messaging while allowing customers to more effectively protect against blended threats. The company is correctly targeting mid-sized enterprises with the integrated appliance, where demand will be highest.

• Vendor Importance: High to Borderware because the company believes it has some early-mover advantage in integrating DLP into its multi-protocol Web and messaging security platform and because the integrated platform sets the future direction for the company. Adoption of DLP technology in the mid-market has not taken off as quickly as some expected, in large part because customers did not want another costly and complex point solution. Such integration could help to spur greater adoption, especially among mid-sized enterprises.

• Market Impact: Moderate on the secure messaging market segment, because at least two other competitors – McAfee and Secure Computing -- have integrated products already in the market that perform some level of data leakage protection. But by planting a flag in the ground and marketing aggressively to the medium-sized enterprises, Borderware could raise the level of awareness in the market around the benefits of integrating DLP into combined secure messaging and Web products. Given customer reluctance to adopt point DLP products that increase the cost and complexity of managing multiple, dedicated security gateways, Borderware is addressing a largely unmet need in the market.

Recommended Competitor Actions

• Existing competitors that already have integrated products in the market are right to cast doubt about the uniqueness of the new Borderware integrated platform. Borderware’s assertion that it is first gives those competitors an opportunity to raise the profile of their existing products and tout the value of tried-and-tested technology.

• McAfee raised doubts about the efficacy of its existing network-based DLP technology when it acquired Reconnex. It will now have to explain to customers using its integrated McAfee Email and Web Security what will happen to that existing DLP technology as McAfee integrates Reconnex technology into its product lines.

• Competitors that do not yet have DLP technology integrated with Web and messaging security should speed their efforts to deliver such products to market. While large enterprises may be satisfied with separate products, that customer base is limited in size. The mid-market to date has not truly been tapped yet and presents a large opportunity for the right mix of functionality, performance, common management, and price.

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Competitive Positives and Concerns

Recommended Vendor Actions

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