IBM Corp. today plans to announce a major new push into the computer security business, spearheaded by its operations in Austin and Atlanta.

Central to IBM's strategy are numerous new software products and new ways of managing computer security that could potentially shake up a business long dominated by companies such as Symantec Corp., MacAfee Inc., EMC Corp. and others.

"What we're now offering is an end-to-end solution" unlike any other company offers, said Tom Noonan, general manager of Atlanta-based IBM Internet Security Systems. He characterized IBM's move as a "hammer throw" into the computer security marketplace.

What's driving IBM is a boom in the business of computer security and data protection. Technology consulting firm AMR Research Inc. predicts that companies in North America will spend about $30 billion this year on software and other tools to comply with new data protection and corporate governance rules. Those were passed after numerous security breaches and data thefts left consumers vulnerable.

Among IBM's new offerings is software called Proventia Content Analyzer, which scans corporate networks for sensitive information such as customers' Social Security numbers or addresses and then automatically blocks employees from transferring such data.

Other new software alerts managers to unauthorized activity within databases or on company computers. Still other programs help retailers meet new standards for protecting credit card data.

As part of the initiative, the company has earmarked $1.5 billion in 2008 for research and development of new types of security software and other products. In addition to tasking divisions in Atlanta and Austin to lead the effort, IBM has made it the focus of 200 researchers around the world.

IBM's security initiative is the result of a string of acquisitions that significantly beefed up its presence in the industry.

Among them was last October's $1.3 billion purchase of Internet Security Systems Inc., which Noonan co-founded. About 700 of IBM's 7,500 Atlanta employees work for the division.

Other recent IBM purchases were made to strengthen IBM's Austin-based Tivoli division, which sells identity, access and compliance management software and employs about 1,000 people in Austin. In all, IBM has about 6,200 Austin employees.

"IBM has accumulated a lot of security companies over the past year and folded them into a lot of different product lines," said Andrew Jaquith, an analyst with technology research firm Yankee Group. "But what they've really lacked is a cohesive security story across all their brands."

Because IBM isn't as widely known for security as some of its competitors, the company still faces many challenges, Jaquith said.

"But especially because of how big they are and because of their reach into executive levels, they'll probably be able to take some deals off the table that others won't even be able to see," he said.

Charles King, principal analyst with technology consulting firm Pund-IT Inc., said companies today can buy many of the same types of security solutions that IBM plans to package, but usually they have to do it in bits and pieces from numerous vendors.

"Businesses are now really trying to deploy and manage security from the ground up in a way that makes sense for not just parts of their business, but for their business as a whole," King said.

"I think that's the aim or the goal that IBM has here — delivering a set of products and offerings that companies can now use to take an integrated approach," he said.

Security-related acquisitions

recently completed by IBM

February 2006: Network management company Micromuse Inc. for $865 million.

October 2006: Atlanta-based Internet Security Systems Inc. for $1.3 billion.

January 2007: Security and compliance management software company Consul Risk Management (price undisclosed).

July 2007: Watchfire Corp., another security and compliance management company (price undisclosed).