VMware announced new security technology called VMware VMsafe that protects applications running in virtual machines in ways previously not possible in physical environments. The VMsafe APIs allow vendors to develop advanced security products that combat the latest generation of malware. VMsafe technology integrates into the VMware hypervisor and provides the transparency to prevent threats and attacks such as viruses, trojans and keyloggers from ever reaching a virtual machine. Twenty security vendors have embraced VMsafe technology and are building products that will further enhance the security of virtual machines, making the virtual environment more secure and protected than physical systems.

"VMware already has the most trusted virtualization platform for running applications, and we are now raising the bar on security in ways that physical systems simply cannot match," said Raghu Raghuram, vice president of datacenter products and solutions. "The industry has come out in full force to support VMware VMsafe technology with plans for a whole new class of security products that offer customers new advantages to running applications in virtual machines."

Partners Embrace VMware VMsafe Technology
VMsafe technology integrates at the hypervisor layer of virtualization to provide a new way to detect and eliminate the latest generation of malware. The VMware hypervisor is an ultra-thin layer of software that runs on server hardware independently of the operating system, enabling users to create virtual machines on the server in which to run applications. VMsafe technology provides transparency into the memory, CPU, disk and I/O systems of the virtual machine, and monitors the execution of the system. Security products built on VMsafe technology are able to stop malware before it harms a machine or steals data, including the latest generation of rootkits, trojans and viruses, which are undetectable on physical machines.

Today, 20 security vendors have announced plans to use VMsafe APIs to build a new class of open, interoperable and cross-platform innovations for virtual machines.