Symantec Corp. has announced a major update to its mobile security and management strategy -- a broad approach to provide mobile solutions for enterprises, consumers and communication service providers to secure and manage any mobile device anytime, anywhere.

Symantec also announced new security and management capabilities for Android and Apple iOS -- the operating system for the iPhone and iPad -- in addition to existing support for Windows Mobile, Symbian and BlackBerry.

New features, including remote wipe, password policy enforcement and device inventory, enable organizations to embrace these new devices while maintaining the security and integrity of corporate information and assets.

"Symantec's mission is to secure people and information through identity, protection and context, and our broad approach to mobile security and management is a key extension of protection for all of our customers," said Francis deSouza, senior vice president, Enterprise Security Group, Symantec. "By providing mobile security and management for smart devices, we're making it easier for enterprises to allow their employees to use their device of choice without putting corporate data at risk."

The company says smartphone usage is growing exponentially, with new mobile device shipments expected to increase by 55 percent in 2010. In addition, Android and Apple iOS devices are expected to own 31 percent of global market share by year's end.

Increasingly the same device is being used for personal use, business use and for accessing entertainment and carrier-provided services.

Symantec's broad offering of enterprise mobile solutions helps organizations embrace the consumerization of IT by allowing users to select the devices of choice while enforcing governance, securing corporate data and gaining visibility and control of all mobile platforms. These solutions give administrators the ability to centrally define and distribute security policies to devices over-the-air.

Symantec's enterprise and consumer mobile solutions are now available and the communication service provider solutions are scheduled to be available in Winter 2010 (U.S.). The enterprise solutions can be purchased directly from Symantec or through Symantec's worldwide network of value-added authorized resellers, distributors and system integrators. The Norton solutions can be purchased through various retailers and the Norton online store.