Webroot Merges With SaaS Firm Email Systems

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

Webroot Software Inc.