Big Blue and Big Security

A. Braunberg

Summary Bullets

• A “Smarter Planet” is not necessarily a safer planet
• Analytics will become an increasingly important component of security solutions

I spent an interesting couple of days this week at IBM Software’s Connect event. The yearly analyst event brings together IBM’s software brands to talk strategy and trends. This was the first year that IBM invited security analysts to the event: a nod to the formation of a standalone Security Systems division within IBM Software. IBM has had a checkered past in the security markets (most notably with the poorly-executed ISS acquisition), but I came away from the event with the feeling that the company has a strategy in place that realistically addresses IBM’s strengths and weaknesses.