IBM Announces Security Intelligence Software For ‘Big Data’ Customers

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM), the No. 2 computer company, introduced security software intended to detect “stealthy threats” that can penetrate systems of “big data” providers such as the largest companies and government agencies.

Dubbed IBM Security Intelligence with Big Data, the Armonk, N.Y., company said the new product can be a tool for enterprises to monitor cyber attacks, detect risk and prevent fraud with ordinary network communications, as well as so-called “unstructured data” such as emails and business transactions that take place online.

The product is the latest since IBM entered the security software and services sector in the fourth quarter of 2011.

“We are on a relentless push to expand the scope of our security intelligence capabilities for clients,” Brendan Harrigan, general manager of IBM’s Security Services Division, said.

This week, both the New York Times, published by New York Times Co. (NYSE:NYT), and the Wall Street Journal, published by News Corp.’s (NYSE:NWS) Dow Jones unit, disclosed their internal networks had been broken into, apparently by hackers from China who sought emails and other communications from staff employees.

IBM said Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. (DTCC), the New York-based computer organization that clears nearly $40 trillion worth of securities annually in 122 countries, will deploy the new tool, especially because it provides real-time awareness of intrusions and threats.

The IBM software “gives us a practical way to gain visibility across our environment,” Mark Clancy, DTCC managing director for risk management, said.

IBM said the product can detect anomalies in diverse security and network data, query security intelligence data at high speeds, scan across various big data categories such as social media and email as well as transactions and offer forensics to probe into network activity.

This week, Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), the No. 1 computer company, announced its HP Security Breach Management Solution, which also includes forensic capability, gathers statistical evidence of breaches and contains them, manages security events and allows for data recovery should there be a breach.

“It’s nearly impossible for organizations to prevent a breach,” Andrzej Kawalec, chief technology officer for enterprise services for the Palo Alto,, Calif., computer giant, said. The new HP software is intended to “arm clients with the tools and resources to monitor, manage and respond to breaches head on,” he added.

Shares of IBM rose $2.20 to $205.27 in midday trading on Friday. Shares of HP rose 12 cents to $16.63.