Veracode Expands into BYOD Security with Marvin Mobile Buy

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Judging by how quickly mobile device management (MDM) companies adapted to the release of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, the industry is getting better at embracing new smartphones, tablets and mobile operating systems.

But what about mobile apps?

Veracode, a provider of cloud-based application security testing services, is betting that mobile application management (MAM) and security is poised to become the next big front in the ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) battle that’s gripping the IT market. The company announced today that it had acquired mobile anti-malware specialist, Marvin Mobile Security, for an undisclosed amount.

Veracode CEO Bob Brennan says that the move will help its customers deal with booming mobile app adoption and the security challenges it brings.

“Veracode has been helping customers secure mobile apps by offering automated vulnerability detection on Android and iOS platforms, and with Marvin’s technology we can more fully enable customers to address the security and privacy concerns created by the rapid adoption of mobile apps,” said Brennan in a press statement.

He added that the combined technologies of both Veracode and Marvin can help keep business data safe as tablets and smartphones invade the workplace.

“Organizations can quickly gain the intelligence they need to prevent attacks and reduce the risk of information loss that often accompanies an increasingly mobile infrastructure,” stated Brennan.

According to Veracode, businesses with mobile workforces aren’t the only ones that will benefit from the deal. Mobile app marketplaces may become safer places to buy software.

“App Stores and enterprises will be able to leverage Veracode for vetting mobile apps before accepting them into their technology ecosystem and also integrate this capability with their existing investments in control point technologies such as Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Mobile Application Management (MAM) products,” says the company.

The Veracode-Marvin deal echoes Symantec’s BYOD security strategy. In April, the company announced that it had completed the acquisition of Nukona, a privately-held maker of mobile application management software. The deal followed the acquisition of MDM solutions provider Odyssey Software in March.

At the time, CJ Desai, senior vice president of Symantec’s Endpoint and Mobility Group, touted the granular security management capabilities afforded by Nukona’s tech. “By providing essential corporate controls like encryption and data loss prevention on a per-application basis, we can provide targeted information security and confidently increase mobile application adoption in the enterprise, helping our customers further address the ‘bring your own device’ movement,” he said.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.