VMware Welcomes Third-Party Security Applications

In a move intended to improve the security of its virtualization platform, VMware has provided ways for third-party security vendors to integrate their applications into the platform.Basically, VMware has provided a set of application program interfaces (APIs) to such security companies as McAfee and Symantec. The APIs, collectively called VMsafe, give the security programs the access needed to monitor and protect the memory, CPU and disk operations, and I/O systems of virtual machines set up with the VMware hypervisor.

Upwards of 20 security companies have announced plans to producing products that will work with the APIs. One of them, McAfee, has already announced beta availability of its new Email and Web Security Virtual Appliance, "built from the ground up for the VMware platform."PCPro, The Register