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On July 17, 2012, Symantec announced a set of enterprise mobility updates covering mobile-device management, application and data protection, secure email, and Android threat detection. The portfolio addressed corporate email deployments, mobile application programs, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives across Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 7.
What Symantec announced
The announcement described a platform organized around three capabilities: device management, application management, and threat protection. These were enterprise software functions rather than consumer hardware recommendations. Symantec presented the updates as a way for organizations to configure mobile devices, distribute applications and content, protect corporate information, and monitor mobile threats.
All product names and capabilities below reflect the July 2012 announcement. The available sources do not establish whether these products are still sold, supported, renamed, or replaced.
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| Product or update | Primary purpose described in the announcement | Platforms or integrations identified |
|---|---|---|
| Symantec Mobile Security for Android | Application analysis and threat detection for Android devices connected to enterprise environments; announced as generally available | Android |
| Symantec Mobile Management for Configuration Manager | Mobile-device management following the integration of Odyssey Software technology; formerly Odyssey Athena | Standalone deployment, integration with Altiris IT Management Suite, or integration with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager |
| Symantec Mobile Management with NitroDesk TouchDown | Secure enterprise email and separation of corporate and personal data | Android through the NitroDesk TouchDown email client |
| Native agent-based Mobile Management support for Windows Phone 7 | Configuration and security controls, application and content deployment, and corporate-data protection | Windows Phone 7; the release also identified existing Android and iOS support for the management platform |
| Nukona App Center from Symantec | Protection for iOS applications and data using encryption the announcement described as FIPS 140-2 certified | iOS |
| Symantec PGP Viewer for Android | Viewing encrypted email delivered through PGP Universal Server | Android and PGP Universal Server |
How the mobile-management deployment choices differed
The release presented three ways to deploy the management capability. The distinction was primarily how the system fit into existing administration tools, not three different security levels.
#1 Best Overall
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Standalone deployment
An organization could deploy the mobile-management product independently, without the Altiris or Microsoft management integrations named in the announcement.
Integration with Altiris IT Management Suite
Organizations already using Symantec’s Altiris IT Management Suite could integrate mobile management with that environment, bringing mobile administration into the existing Symantec management stack.
Rank #2
- Ultra-Compact FIDO2 Security Key - Plug-and-stay or carry on a keychain. This USB-A hardware security key offers portable, always-on protection for desktop and mobile use. (Item Size: 0.75 X 0.74 IN x 0.25 IN)
- USB-A Hardware Key for All Devices - Works with USB-A ports on PC, Mac, Android, and other laptop/notebook device. Enables secure, cross-platform login with FIDO2.0 passkey support.
- FIDO Certified Security Key - Meets FIDO and FIDO2 standards. Works with Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Dropbox, and more. Please check service compatibility before purchase.
- Passwordless Login with Passkey - Supports passkey login via WebAuthn and CTAP2. Enjoy password-free sign-ins where supported. Not all websites or services currently support passkeys.
- Advanced Multi-Factor Authentication - Offers 200 FIDO2 passkey slots and 50 OATH-TOTP slots. Strong, flexible 2FA/MFA support across various apps and authentication platforms.
Integration with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
Organizations centered on Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager could use the corresponding integration option described by Symantec.
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The announcement did not claim that every feature worked on every mobile operating system. Android received the broadest set of named additions: Mobile Security for Android, TouchDown integration, and PGP Viewer for Android. The management platform had Android and iOS support and gained native agent-based management for Windows Phone 7. Nukona App Center’s protection was specifically described for iOS applications and data.
Rank #3
- FIDO2 & WebAuthn Passwordless Security – Enables phishing‑resistant, passwordless authentication for Microsoft, Google, Facebook, GitHub, and hundreds of other supported services.
- Dual NFC + USB‑A Convenience – Authenticate via USB‑A for desktops and laptops, or NFC tap for compatible mobile devices and readers—no drivers required.
- Enterprise‑Grade Protection – Hardware‑based security key helps prevent account takeovers, credential theft, and unauthorized access better than SMS or app‑based MFA.
- Broad Platform Compatibility – Works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and major browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
- Durable & Portable Design – Compact USB‑A form factor with reinforced keyring hole makes it easy to carry and ideal for professionals, IT admins, and remote workers.
- Android: threat detection and application analysis, secure email through TouchDown integration, encrypted-email viewing with PGP Viewer, and mobile-management support.
- iOS: mobile-management support and Nukona App Center application/data protection.
- Windows Phone 7: newly described native agent-based mobile-management support.
Why secure email and data separation mattered
The TouchDown integration targeted a common enterprise problem: allowing employees to use mobile email while keeping corporate information distinct from personal data on the same Android device. PGP Viewer for Android addressed a different email requirement—reading messages encrypted through PGP Universal Server.
These were complementary controls. TouchDown was presented as an enterprise email client integration with corporate/personal separation, while PGP Viewer extended access to PGP-encrypted messages. Neither description establishes a complete mobile-data-loss-prevention system for every application or device.
Rank #4
- Stainless Steel Finish
- Keyed Alike
- For use in Mobile Homes
Threat context cited by Symantec
To frame the announcement, Symantec reported that mobile vulnerabilities increased by 93 percent in 2011, attributing the figure to its Internet Security Threat Report. That number is a statistic quoted by the company in the announcement; the underlying report was not independently checked here. It should therefore be read as Symantec’s contemporaneous threat framing, not as a separately verified measurement.
What the announcement did—and did not—establish
Established by the July 2012 materials
- The announcement date was July 17, 2012.
- The portfolio targeted enterprise email, applications, BYOD, device administration, and mobile threat protection.
- Named capabilities covered Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 7, with different features assigned to each platform.
- Mobile Management had standalone, Altiris IT Management Suite, and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager deployment paths.
- Symantec claimed that Nukona App Center used FIPS 140-2 certified encryption for iOS app and data protection.
Not established by these sources
- Current availability, pricing, ownership, successor products, or support policies for any named product.
- Whether the products met a particular organization’s present compliance, identity, or device requirements.
- Independent validation of Symantec’s “most comprehensive” portfolio claim.
- Performance, compatibility, or security results beyond the capabilities described in the release.
Anyone evaluating a modern deployment would need separate, current lifecycle and product documentation rather than relying on this 2012 announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Protect accounts with USB-A & NFC 2FA security key. Hardware-based authentication blocks phishing, credential theft & unauthorized access across cloud, enterprise & personal platforms.
- FIDO2 Level 2 certified Security Key. TAA compliant and supports Apple ID, Microsoft Azure/Entra ID, AWS, Google, Facebook, Salesforce, DUO & more. Works with Chrome, Safari & Edge across major OS.
- Plug & play USB-A Security Key with NFC tap login. No software, drivers or batteries required. Works with Windows PC, MacBook, iPhone, Android & Chromebook for fast, secure authentication.
- Built with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 secure element for advanced encryption. Trusted by IT teams, healthcare, education & government for secure authentication and identity protection.
- IP68 waterproof, dustproof & crush-resistant design. Supports FIDO2, U2F, OTP, PIV, Mini Driver & smart card login. Durable USB security key for long-term enterprise and daily use.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
