Microsoft buys into Lookout mobile security with strategic partnership

Lookout, a start-up company in the field of mobile security, has partnered with Microsoft for providing enterprise mobility and security solutions.

Under the strategic partnership, the companies will provide Lookout Mobile Threat Protection integrated with Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS).

Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility Suite is presently being used by more than 27,000 enterprise customers. The capabilities of EMS include covering identity, access management, mobile management and security.

By integrating Lookout’s mobile security solutions, business customers can benefit from freedom and flexibility of mobile productivity and can benefit from increased security for enterprise data and assets.

Microsoft enterprise client & mobility group corporate vice president Brad Anderson said: "Lookout shares our belief that mobility should empower employees, not restrict them.

"Companies should be harnessing the power of the intelligent cloud and mobile threat data to limit their exposure to potential security breaches.

"We are excited to be working closely together with Lookout to integrate these new capabilities with EMS."
Microsoft has already invested undisclosed amount in Lookout.

Lookout has a cloud-based technology which has access to a global network comprising of more than 100 million mobile sensors and a very large data set of mobile code.

With such intelligence on mobile threats, Lookout conducts complex correlations to predict future risks and to identify threats that can evade conventional systems.

When threats are detected, companies will be enabled to take action for data protection across users, devices and applications, the company said.

Companies can also add in extra protective measures for limited access or conditional access policies for threats that have been predicted by Lookout’s intelligence. With such technology at hand, access to cloud and on-premises applications can be stopped.

Lookout CEO Jim Dolce said: "Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become the primary computing platform and access point for both our personal and work life, as well as a valuable target for attackers.

"The business agility provided by mobile computing will continue to drive adoption, despite the security risks involved. Lookout and Microsoft empower businesses to embrace the productivity benefits of mobile devices while addressing the security risks."