Symantec unveils cloud-based enterprise protection

Home users need not apply, but businesses looking for the best way to manage their network's security now have a new solution to consider.

Symantec announced Wednesday the launch of its Hosted Endpoint Protection, a cloud-based protection service for small- and medium-size organizations. The company says that this new solution offers comprehensive security for the clients' computer systems without additional hardware or management software.

Customers will be able to protect their Windows-based laptops, desktops, and file servers using a Web-based console. Traditionally, in order to have this level of comprehensive protection, including Symantec's existingEndpoint Protection, a company would need a dedicated piece of hardware or a server in its network to manage it.

According to Symantec, the new Software as a service (SaaS) approach of the new Hosted Endpoint Protection is much easier to deploy and set up, requires minimal maintenance, and is therefore suitable for businesses that have limited resources.

Symantec claims that the Hosted Endpoint Protection leverages its Global Intelligence Network and benefits from the network's rapid threat identification and response. The service offers automatic security updates, so it helps the customers keep their employees' computers protected both at the office and on the go.

Key features and benefits of Symantec's Hosted Endpoint Protection are: