The latest version of VMware's vSphere cloud platform will integrate Intel's trusted execution technology (TXT), a Xeon server feature that provides a new layer of hardware-based security.
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Intel cloud infrastructure group general manager Jason Waxman said in a statement that the move will help address key cloud security threats.
"Intel TXT provides hardware enforcement to help overcome some of the most challenging aspects of cloud security, including detection and prevention of BIOS attacks and evolving forms of stealthy malware, such as rootkits," he says.
TXT-equipped servers running vSphere 5.1 will be better able to meet compliance requirements and can even provide improvements in efficiency by allowing IT departments to swap VMs among "known good" pools of trusted servers, according to Intel.
The company also announced that it has already made sample and reference architectures available via its Intel Cloud Builders program, providing blueprints for companies eager to maintain a high degree of security while automating and improving their cloud-based infrastructure.
There has been no shortage of new partnership announcements at this year's VMworld conference, currently being held in San Francisco. Major systems companies like Dell and HP, network management providers like F5, and a host of other businesses have showcased their cloud readiness at the event.
Even so, Intel's announcement could prove particularly important in the future - security continues to be a key concern for IT departments transitioning to a more cloud-dependent model. The company said that its recent survey of IT professionals found 61% concerned about the issue.
Email Jon Gold at jgold@nww.com and follow him on Twitter at @NWWJonGold.
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