Sprint and AT&T line up mobile security offerings

Security continues to be a moving target in the mobile space with consumers facing an array of third-party choices for security apps and other measures. While third-party apps flourish on their won, Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) and AT&T Inc. (T) have tapped McAfee Inc. (INTC) and Juniper Networks Inc. (JNPR), respectively, to provide more direct access to their security apps tailor made for mobile devices.
Sprint and McAfee began offering 12-month subscriptions to McAfee Mobile Security and McAfee Family Protection Android Edition software for $29.99 and $19.99.
“Sprint takes mobile security very seriously, and we are working to provide tools for our customers that can help protect their devices from viruses and give them the ability to lock or wipe data from their device remotely if it becomes lost or stolen,” Fared Adib, SVP of product at Sprint, said in a prepared statement.
McAfee Mobile Security enables customers to locate and track a lost or stolen device, back up contacts and other data and remotely access or wipe data. It also provides protection against viruses, worms and spyware. McAfee Family Protection Android Edition helps parents block access to inappropriate content.
AT&T struck a deal with Juniper Networks to offer customers access to the AT&T Mobile Security application later this year. The platform is based on Juniper Networks Junos Pulse product.
AT&T says its approach will offer consumer, enterprise and government customers a comprehensive security application that will work across wireless and wireline networks.
“Mobile security is the ‘next frontier’ for our continued effort to mitigate cyber-threats and to help protect our customers’ information,” said Ed Amoroso, chief security officer at AT&T. “With the help of Juniper Networks and the power of AT&T Labs and the AT&T Mobility Security Research Center behind us, we’ll be able to deliver new security capabilities to provide peace of mind to companies and consumers alike.”