Datacentre security specialist Imperva has launched a major new release of its flagship SecureSphere data protection product. It is designed to appeal to chief information officers by tying together data security, web application and compliance capabilities, and improving operational efficiencies and data governance.

SecureSphere 6.0 features several technology improvements, including functionality to automate the discovery of application and database servers, and sensitive information like credit card numbers. Administrators can also take a more granular approach to user activity with the product, which enables tighter control over insiders to prevent any potential abuse of privileged access, explained Imperva's UK managing director, Jonathan Mepsted.

"There are two product lines in here – database monitoring and web application security," Mepsted added. "Up until now we've not been able to tie compliance and security together in this manner, but this release defines who Imperva is for the next 12 months."

The compliance enhancements to the release include a group of add-on ADC Insight Services – tailored and continually updated modules that are designed to set up SecureSphere to meet particular regulatory requirements. There are also pre-made reports relevant to an organisation's Oracle or SAP ERP roll-outs or mandates such as Payment Card Industry standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, explained Mepsted.

Roy Illsley of analyst Butler Group welcomed the release as "a step in the right direction" for making audits simpler for firms.

"This type of offering will become more and more the norm because it's what compliance managers are looking for," Illsley added. "At the moment, what he wants and what the datacentre manager wants are often in two separate tools."