- In the wake of yesterday's analyst day, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) has announced it's expanding its partnership with server virtualization kingpin VMware (VMW) to cover mobile security.
- The companies plan to integrate VMware's AirWatch enterprise mobility management platform (acquired last year) with Palo Alto's next-gen firewalls, WildFire threat-detection service (seeing rapid growth), and GlobalProtect mobile security service.
- They're also offering an iOS VPN app that uses GlobalProtect to create a secure connection between AirWatch-managed devices and Palo Alto firewalls, so as to improve traffic inspection and policy enforcement. In 2014, Palo Alto and VMware announced a solution that combines Palo Alto's virtualized (software-based) next-gen firewall with VMware's NSX SDN/networking virtualization platform.
- Also unveiled by Palo Alto: AutoFocus, a cyber threat intelligence service that gives IT security personnel "instant access to actionable intelligence derived from billions of file analysis artifacts" from data collected by 5K+ entities targeted by cyber attacks. The solution, which takes aim at FireEye's Mandiant unit and others, follows the September launch of a new endpoint security service, and comes amid strong corporate interest in better threat intelligence.
- Not surprisingly (given recent sell-side bullishness), reactions to Palo Alto's analyst day have been positive. FBR: "[W]e feel that the company is doing the right things at the right time with 'red-hot' growth prospects given execution acumen, a laser-focused growth strategy, and expanding total addressable market." Pac Crest has praised AutoFocus' ability to leverage the huge amounts of user data Palo Alto collects from its customers.
- Separately, CRN reports VMware is thinking of hiring a global sales chief, in part to boost sales of its huge enterprise license agreements (ELAs). ELAs accounted for 39% of VMware's Q4 bookings; the company is two months removed from providing light Q1/2015 guidance.