Sybase iAnywhere announced that it has expanded its mobile security portfolio to include handheld antivirus and firewall capabilities. Sybase Information Anywhere Suite’s Afaria management and security solution will be enhanced with antivirus and firewall technology, addressing growing concern over an increase in malware, viruses, hackers and spam targeting handheld devices. These new security components, combined with Afaria’s mobile device authentication and encryption technology, provide complete protection for Windows Mobile, Symbian and Blackberry mobile devices from viruses, data compromise, hackers and the effects of mobile device loss or theft.

“By now offering handheld antivirus and firewall protection as a part of our managed security portfolio, Sybase iAnywhere is responding to customer demand for broader security capabilities from a single, strategic mobility vendor,” said Joe Owen, vice president of engineering, Sybase iAnywhere. “Customers benefit from being able to manage all security policies from a single console, and can be assured of interoperability among the security technologies on their workers’ handheld devices.”

“The tremendous growth in adoption of converged mobile devices (a.k.a. smart phones) occurring among business professionals will inevitably bring with it a rise in the number of attacks and in the sophistication of viruses and other malware specifically targeting these devices. IT organizations need to be proactive in protecting their information and systems from attack,” said Sean Ryan, Research Analyst, Mobile Enterprise, IDC. “Enterprises should consider mobile antivirus and firewall protection, for all enterprise supported mobile operating systems, as part of a holistic mobility security offering that puts IT in central control of all mobile devices and information.”

Sybase iAnywhere extends its standing in the mobile device management and security market with technology built to address the battery, processor and screen size of handheld devices, rather than retrofitting desktop solutions.

Key Features Include:

Afaria Antivirus Manager

• Comprehensive antivirus protection with automatic signature file updates, assuring up-to-date protection
• Real-time virus detection on any file received
• Based on heuristic technology – first behavior-based security solution targeting mobile devices. Afaria provides this added protection effectively without sacrificing device performance

Afaria Firewall Manager

• IP based firewall protection
• SMS and call filtering

For more information on Sybase iAnywhere contact Cynthia Conway, Cynthia.Conway@incisorpr.com at Incisor Communications.