Nemertes Impact Analysis

The Impact Analysis is a weekly quick-take on breaking IT news.
Nemertes provides expert insight on how recent IT news affects you.

Who's Minding the Store? IBM Steps Up

IBM (NYSE:IBM) has introduced SecureStore, offered as a complete security
solution to retailers. SecureStore comprises tools for securing networks and
transactions, for surveillance and RFID tagging of physical assets to reduce
theft, and security process expertise aimed at achieving compliance.

Nemertes' Security and Information Protection benchmark found more
than 42% of enterprises have strategic security vendors. In creating a
comprehensive security bundle around this key issue for retailers, IBM may
increase its role as a strategic security partner of choice.

Impacts:

Enterprises: Take a high-level look at security relationships. Let strategic
goals guide strategic decisions, not existing investments in specific point
products.

Vendors: A broad portfolio is not enough; looking past specific threats and
tools to enterprise needs and strategies is essential.

Investors: Few vendors can compete on such a broad-spectrum solution; watch
for partnerships instead, such as McAfee (NASDAQ:MFE) partnering with Oracle
(NASDAQ:ORCL) or Sun (NASDAQ:SUNW) for RFID management.

John Burke, Principal Research Analyst

http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/retail/doc/content/resource/thought/4073291101.html

http://www.nemertes.com/products_services/research/benchmarks/nemertes_benchmark_security_and_information_protection_0