Security vendor McAfee has a new strategy to plunge deeper into the market for midsize companies.
Armed with an expanded sales team and a retooled version of Secure Internet Gateway, McAfee is aiming at better penetration of the security market for businesses with 100 to 1000 users.
Calling the market underserved, McAfee’s Darrell Rodenbaugh said the company has built an organization of some 150 people worldwide during the past several months to target the space. Company officials estimate the worldwide midmarket opportunity in 2007 to be about $4.3 billion in revenue and said Secure Internet Gateway 3000 and updated Total Protection products support the expanded focus.
“We think is positive and good news,” said Rodenbaugh, senior vice president of Worldwide Field Operations.
To be sure, the Santa Clara, Calif., company is not the only company focusing on providing security for midsize businesses. Gartner analyst John Pescatore said vendors have traditionally offered low-end versions of their products for small and midsize businesses instead of making tools specifically to fit their needs.
“I think that’s starting to change,” Pescatore said.
SMBs typically want an affordable, unified tool with several capabilities, as opposed to a number of different products that are best-of-breed, he added.
IDC analyst Brian Burke agreed.
“Midsized business is one of the fastest growing segments we track and increasingly these businesses are looking for a comprehensive security solution that is simple and easy to manage,” Burke said in a statement. “Midsized businesses need the same level of protection that large enterprises enjoy, but they don’t want to piece together a patchwork of solutions. We see a trend toward integrated security products that are easy to manage.”
Secure Internet Gateway 3000 has a lower price tag —$2,395—and supports fewer users, up to 200 per device. The product is designed as an all-in-one tool that helps blocks spam, viruses, malicious Web sites and spyware. In addition, through Total Protection, McAfee officials promise full coverage and offers hosted security services that include firewall protection against viruses, spyware, spam and phishing.
Both Secure Internet Gateway 3000 and Total Protection now include McAfee SiteAdvisor to guard against Web-based malware and phishing scams.
The $2,395 price tag includes one year of hardware and technical support.
