Gartner: Virtualization Can Weaken Security

Gartner will present research later this month that suggests that companies that hurry to implement virtualization technology without first implementing best practices for security may be in for trouble.

The analyst firm said the combination of immature security tools for virtualized environments and the failure of companies to set and carry out appropriate policies to protect virtual machines (VMs) means that these virtual servers will be less secure than physical machines through 2009.

As is the case with any new technology that becomes an obvious target for security threats, Gartner said companies need to proceed with caution as they deploy VMs. The research firm suggested that too many businesses try to take the same approach to securing their virtual servers that they use to protect physical servers. This leaves VMs exposed to threats.

Gartner said effective security for virtualized environments ideally should begin before an organization even picks vendors or products.Neil MacDonald, vice president and Gartner Fellow, will present Gartner's findings at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2007: Emerging Trends, being held in San Francisco from April 22nd to April 26th.