In addition to the expected array of anti-virus, identity protection and other security tools, the new version promises faster operation, smaller footprint, and includes 2 gigs of online backup, with built-in automated tools for managing the backups. Disk management utilities are also part of the package.
While a home-computing security suite clearly isn't appropriate or, probably, practical, for businesses larger than a few employees -- Symantec itself, like other major security players, offers a variety of higher-end small and midsized business security products and services -- consumer products shouldn't be rejected out-of-hand for smaller offices and, again, and perhaps especially, remote and home-based employees.
I'm particularly pleased to see the trend toward automating backup -- something any business with offsite staff needs to consider. (Not just for offsite staff, of course: Symantec itself has reported that a quarter of businesses don't backup at all, despite having technology in place to do so, as we told you here a few weeks ago.
I'd bet the numbers are far higher for remote and home-based employees, another reason for taking a look at security solutions that include data backup as part of the package.
And for employees who are less than tech-savvy, the advantages of products designed for consumer comfort and ease-of-use zones is another plus.