HP Launches SMB Security Solution

The HP Business Protection portfolio, which includes hardware and software, centers on the Smart Desktop Management Service, a new managed service--delivered directly by HP or by a solution provider--that provides off-site data protection for less than $20 per month per seat, with no minimum requirement or setup fees, said Kevin Gilroy, senior vice president and general manager of SMB at HP, Palo Alto, Calif.

The managed service includes backup and restoration with virus protection from Symantec for networked systems by any vendor, automatic Microsoft operating system updates and a remote services platform, Gilroy said. The portfolio covers antivirus, antispyware, antispam, intrusion detection and business-critical availability, which can be sold as a package or separately, he added.

Hardware components in the solution include the StorageWorks Ultrium 448 Tape Drive, ProLiant servers and the StorageWorks MSL6000 Tape Library,

Brian Wiser, senior vice president of marketing at distributor Ingram Micro, Santa Ana, Calif., said the new HP security solution --along with HP's marketing toward end users--should help VARs penetrate SMB accounts with new security offerings.

"What I like is they're definitely focused on SMB. There's often a lot of talk around that, but there's not a lot of true SMB-centric products and services," Wiser said. "HP also is recognizing the key role solution providers play in the process. Due to the complexity of security solutions, the typical SMB doesn't know what they need, or they're in denial of security protection because they don't understand the severity of the threat and think too much has to be invested. This is a perfect opportunity for the SMB solution provider to shine."