Cisco Systems Inc.’s Irvine-based Linksys is looking to beef up security in its home networking devices.
The companies aren’t offering specifics for competitive reasons but promise to have routers and other consumer gear with built-in security software this year.
They also plan a separate device and possible subscription service that scans Internet traffic as it enters a home network and automatically filters out bad stuff.
The effort is seen as a bid by Cisco to parlay network security it has developed for corporate networks down to Linksys, which it bought for $500 million in 2003.
Up to now, Linksys routers have come with some basic protections, said Mani Dhillon, director of product marketing for Linksys.
“We end up having piecemeal solutions,” he said. “They’re easy to use, but they don’t really collaborate together.”
The push comes as more homes are being outfitted with networking devices that link computers and even control living room lights and air conditioners.
“Having something connected to your network now is always a bit scary,” Dhillon said. “I’ve talked to customers at stores, and they talk about turning off their router at night so they’re not vulnerable.”
The threats are the same as on the corporate side: spam, viruses and hacking.
“We’ve moved to the always-on world, at faster speeds and having a home full of computers being connected,” said Mick Scully, vice president of marketing for Cisco’s security group in San Jose. “That creates great potential for spam, phishing bots or some kind of worm-spreading environment.”
Linksys is working on the security effort with another Cisco acquisition, IronPort Systems of San Bruno, which was bought earlier this year for $830 million.
Fountain Valley-based D-Link Systems Inc., part of Taiwan’s D-Link Corp., already sells a $99 home network security device, according to CNet.com. D-Link worked with Santa Clara’s McAfee Inc. on its device.
Cisco and Linksys aren’t sure how much the security features might add to a router, or how much a separate device and subscription service might cost.
“We’re only targeting what the customer needs, not overburdening the cost of the solution,” Dhillon said.
Cisco also plans to add security features to set-top cable boxes acquired in 2005’s acquisition of Georgia’s Scientific-Atlanta Inc. Cable companies see the boxes becoming network hubs for homes, capable of routing Internet connections and linking PCs.
