Ask any IT administrator about the cloud, especially cloud-based applications, and chances are you’ll sense some unease. They see its potential in terms of cost-effectiveness and agility, but express some concerns in terms of security. At Symantec we envision a future, cloud-centric world, where clouds are safe and our solutions provide the protection and control customers need across both public and private clouds.

In this vision, many clouds will be the norm. The user experience will involve a seamless interaction of cloud-based services with constant access to what is needed, when needed, without security concerns. Whether it is access to email archives, sales presentations, or financial reports, secure cloud-based services will enable customers to be more productive wherever they may be.

There are some challenges to overcome before we get to the point where all companies will feel safe migrating enormous petabytes of...

By Brian Burch, vice president of marketing communications, Symantec

We’ve all heard about how regular forest fires clear the way for new life, making a healthier ecosystem overall. And if there is a silver lining to be found in the struggling global economy of the last few years, it’s the emergence of a new breed of entrepreneurs who are utilizing the latest technology to effectively compete in today’s challenging business environment. These “accidental entrepreneurs” found themselves in a difficult economic situation and decided to make their own opportunities.

The millions of white-collar workers who were laid off between 2008 and 2011 certainly play a big part in rising global unemployment, which is now totals 27 million more people than on the eve of the global economic crisis in 2007. But a subset of these individuals, those who founded small businesses in the wake of the economic crisis, are a positive and...