McAfee Buys Up Mobile Security

Security software specialist, McAfee has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately owned tenCube, the provider of the WaveSecure mobile security service.

Adding WaveSecure’s locate, lock, back-up and wipe technology to Trust Digital’s enterprise mobility management and McAfee’s mobile security technology, means McAfee will now have a single platform to address the management and security of all devices types, claims the company.

People today are 15 times more likely to lose their phones than their laptop. Device loss is currently the most worrisome and likely security incident that consumer mobile users face today. The acquisition is expected to help McAfee: 

• Have the technology needed for users and their families to locate, lock, encrypt, protect against malware, wipe, filter, manage, back-up, restore and access their data online 
• Leverage its expertise at the endpoint and in the cloud to broaden its existing mobile security portfolio beyond anti-malware, data protection, Web security and family protection 
• Combine the skills and resources of both companies to develop and deliver scalable solutions through global partnerships with mobile service providers and mobile device manufacturers 
• Expand the breadth of its device management solutions available for enterprise IT administrators to implement policies, assist users and enforce compliance for mobile applications across the enterprise

According to Ericsson, there will be 50 billion IP connected devices in 2020, up from 1 billion today. With the proliferation of these devices comes the need to secure and manage them—whether it’s the value of the device itself, protection from theft and data loss, or meeting compliance requirements set forth by the user’s employer.

The WaveSecure security service allows users to remotely control their devices, manage the data on their phones, ensure privacy in the event of device theft or loss and enhance the possibility of recovering the phone. McAfee also plans to offer a child locator service, using the unique technology from WaveSecure. If a phone is lost, the WaveSecure service lets users remotely locate the phone and pinpoint its location.

If the phone's been stolen, they can remotely lock it and/or wipe all of the personal data from the device and its external memory cards. The phone will automatically go into lock-down mode if it is used with an un-authorised wireless account and inform a user’s emergency contact of its location.

WaveSecure locked phones show a permanent message on the screen explaining how to return the phone to its owner. The application also lets users automatically back-up and restore all of the data stored on their phone including text messages and their address book.