The application channels Cisco Security Intelligence Operations (SIO) blogs, podcasts, alerts and up-to-the-minute computer safety information to iPhones and iPod Touch devices.

"In a world where your customers or employees are not always connected to a network we wanted to put Cisco security in the palm of your hand," Cisco manager of integrated marketing for security Michael Weir told AFP.

"The app is made for IT security folks, but it is also for people that like to geek-out on security."

Information channeled to iPhones through the SIO To Go application includes budding threats discerned from ongoing analysis of email and Internet traffic worldwide.

SIO data includes rating websites to indicate how much they should be trusted given performances regarding spam, viruses and other trouble.

"Regular people will be interested in solution videos, podcasts, Twitter feeds and some other features that are not so hardcore security," Weir said.

"I don't spend a lot of time looking at mitigation bulletins, but I am interested in what new outbreaks there are and the nature of them."

While businesses have been slow to sanction iPhones, employees are increasingly using the wildly popular Apple smartphones for work. Cisco is among technology firms that offers security software tailored for iPhones.

"The use of iPhones in businesses in a compliant way is just going to increase," Weir said. "I see lots more business applications for iPhones."

SIO To Go is available at Apple's online App Store and the security information is also available online at cisco.com/go/sio.

(c) 2009 AFP