CA steps up its security game
Launch of R8.1 replacement will allow software giant to recover its position, says ISBU vice president
Galloping ahead: CA wants to retake its place among the security market frontrunners
CA has set its sights on reclaiming a top-three spot in the global internet security market following an architecture refresh.
The software giant hived off its security offering into a separate Internet Security Business Unit (ISBU) in 2007 and has spent the past three years redeveloping the architecture that underpins it.
Joseph Souren, vice president of ISBU in EMEA, said CA had been playing a long game. “It is no secret that CA did not grow in security as much as it wanted,” he said. “We have about three per cent of the market, which is strange given we are the number four in software in the world, but this will change.”
The new business-to-business platform, developed by HCL, will be launched in September. It will replace CA’s R8.1 platform.
“The launch will not only allow us to catch up but go beyond the status quo,” Souren said. “We have the goal of retaking the position in the market we deserve – we will certainly be top three.”
Martin Blackhurst, security product marketing manager at CA Platinum partner Redstone Managed Solutions, said: “There is a vast difference between 8.1 and the new platform. It could raise some eyebrows in the market and will allow it to compete with Sophos, McAfee, Trend Micro and Kaspersky.”
Souren said CA is also planning an assault on the retail space to emulate its strong consumer position in its native US. Three products will be launched this autumn and
CA has already agreed a multimillion-pound deal with a UK retailer.
Several partner programme enhancements will be introduced in the coming months, he added, including virtual trials in the cloud.
The vendor also claims it offers the highest margin protection and best spiffs in the industry.