11/27/2007

Webroot Software, Inc., a provider of security software for the consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, today announced that it has merged with Email Systems, a Software as a Service (SaaS) security provider.

ebizQ received the following:

Consequently, Webroot moves decisively into providing security SaaS solutions to enterprise organisations, particularly SMBs. Webroot will now provide a new Email and Web Security SaaS solution that delivers email archiving, image scanning and encryption, anti-spam, anti-phishing and anti-virus services for protecting email, http web filtering and other web-based communications. This strategic combination will leverage the technology expertise, management and client bases of both organisations on a global scale.

“Email Systems offers an unrivalled SaaS technology that represents a tipping point in enterprise security. We now have the opportunity to offer it on a much bigger scale. The new organisation will incorporate the management, sales, marketing and technical teams of our two companies to create a true global partnership,” said Mike Irwin, COO, Webroot Software. “Our customers will now be able to easily engage a multi-layered security strategy that includes industry-leading end-point and SaaS-based perimeter security in a unique and integrated package. Additionally, it will all be offered through our combined global network of channel partners.”

Webroot will now be able to offer email and Web management, protection and compliance services that can be integrated with the award-winning Webroot AntiSpyware Corporate Edition with AntiVirus end-point protection solution. This multi-layered hybrid approach to security provides a powerful alternative to the traditional hardware and server based perimeter solutions at a fraction of the cost, while delivering additional levels of protection.

“As is the case with most new technologies, excitement has grown over the Software as a Service (SaaS) model for various reasons. The ease of deployment, management, scalability and reducing the workload of internal IT staff have driven much of the fervor,” said Brian Burke, Program Director, Security Products at IDC, a global provider of market intelligence. “As a security solution, we anticipate seeing an increase in hybrid models that include both an on-premise and a hosted security service. Overall, IDC expects that worldwide spending on hosted messaging security services, which totaled $300 million in 2006, will reach $1.4 billion by 2011.”

As one of the fastest growing vendors in the fastest growing enterprise technology segment, Email Systems has been providing SaaS-based email and web protection, management and compliance services since 2002. Recently awarded CRN UK Magazine’s 'Security Vendor of the Year', Email Systems now protects more than 1,500 businesses and 2.5 million email boxes worldwide. The company currently filters and scans more than 1.2 billion messages per month.

“By joining forces, we are poised to provide one of the most unique and powerful security solutions in the industry. SaaS is a disruptive technology that we’ve seen grow to dominate business applications and expect to see the same with security,” said Neil Hammerton, CEO, Email Systems. “The combination of Webroot’s global support, the delivery to a far broader audience through our expanded channel reseller network, and our latest product release soon to be announced, we feel like we are poised to take full advantage of a technology sea-change.”