Motorola and SAP Vie to Bring Enterprise Security to Android

Android use in the enterprise is steadily growing but IT managers have to rely on either ActiveSync or use a third-party mobile device management solution to handle security. Motorola and SAP both revealed deals today that aim to bring security closer to the device.

Motorola will acquire Android security company 3LM, which was founded by ex-Android developers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, Samsung has entered into a partnership with SAP to bring its Sybase Afaria product to Samsung’s line of Android devices.

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It’s no secret that Motorola is targeting business customers with its BlackBerry-like DroidPro, so today’s announcement comes as no surprise. 3ML was founded by Gaurav Mathur and Tom Moss last year. It received $1.5 million in seed funding from Accel Partners and other investors, according to TechCrunch. The Wall Street Journal also reports that 3ML has signed deals to bring its security solutions to other vendors.

This isn’t Motorola’s first foray into mobile security management. It purchased Good Technology in 2006, only to sell the company in 2009. It also offers a mobile device management solution called Mobility Services Platform.

Samsung’s deal will make Sybase a second-party security vendor. However, according to the announcement, only devices running Android 2.3 or better will be able to take advantage of Sybase’s solution. Many with existing Galaxy S devices are stuck with Android 2.1, despite newer versions of the Android OS being available for several months. Users have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company.

3ML and Sybase compete with an ever-growing pool of device management vendors. We’ve previously covered Forrester’s advice on choosing a device management solution.

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