Security and Data Protection

IT security and control firm Sophos has launched a new software offering, Sophos Security and Data Protection, incorporating encryption and data protection capabilities into its endpoint, email and web security products.  With data from Sophoss Endpoint Assessment Test* indicating that ninety percent of corporate endpoints are a security risk, Sophos Security and Data Protection reduces the cost and complexity companies can experience when managing their information security and compliance requirements alongside malware and spam protection.

Following the acquisition of Utimaco which completed earlier this year, Sophos Security and Data Protection comprises Endpoint Security and Data Protection, Email Security and Data Protection, and Web Security and Control.

By creating a single solution proposition for endpoint, email and web, Sophos is continuing its commitment to reducing IT complexity by addressing how businesses manage data loss concerns, and data-specific compliance requirements including PCI compliance requirements.

Businesses today need to support a wide range of users accessing their IT systems, some of them using unmanaged devices in remote locations said Bob Tarzey, service director at Quocirca.  This includes employees working outside the office and external users such as contractors and employees of partners the ability to ensure that all endpoints are safe to be given network access, and when it is granted to control and monitor activity is essential to ensure use of data is secure and compliant, particularly in light of recent high profile data loss incidents.

IT security solutions are often complicated, difficult to use and require a lot of administration time, said Mark Hardcastle, IT Manager at GB Building Solutions.  Sophos Security and Data Protection sits quietly in the background and doesnt require an excessive amount of time to set up and manage weve had the administration burden removed and at the same time have a solution that is both feature-rich and totally resilient to the latest IT security threats.

Endpoint Security and Data Protection

With Sophos Endpoint Security and Data Protection, organisations will receive a comprehensive solution that includes full disk encryption, control of devices, applications, network access control and industry-leading malware protection.  The management console reduces administration time by automating endpoint security and compliance-related responsibilities.

Companies will be able to ensure endpoints are up to date with the latest security patches and protection recent Sophos research shows that almost two thirds are currently missing Microsoft Security patches, while almost half have no firewall protection enabled*.  With Sophos Endpoint Security and Data Protection, firms can automatically configure and deploy to all of their computers irrespective of operating system using standard tools and with minimal impact to end users.

Email Security and Data Protection

Protecting data in transit, Email Security and Data Protection incorporates Sophoss threat protection and content filtering capabilities with new email data protection functionality including integrated SPX Encryption, a patent-pending email encryption technology simplifying deployment and management.  Messages triggered by administrator-configured policy rules are automatically encrypted into an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) container and secured using the password management options.  The message is then forwarded to the recipient, who simply opens the encrypted package on their computer from any email client.  No network connection is required to view the encrypted messages, which can be customised using administrator-configured templates.

Web Security and Control

With one newly infected webpage discovered by Sophos every 4.5 seconds, and web-based applications increasingly becoming the de facto desktop for many business workers, Sophos has broadened the range of its Web Security and Control product line to provide maximum value and control for mid-size businesses and enterprise organisations.  Sophos has introduced two new models, including a high performance appliance aimed at large organisations as well a high-value branch office model to provide added deployment flexibility.

Sophos is also launching a new line of Security Management appliances which allow Web Security and Control customers to centrally manage and monitor multiple web appliances across one or more locations in real-time through a single dashboard.  Businesses can also collate and log data from across their organisations web security infrastructure to simplify enterprise-wide reporting and compliance including the ability to store up to three years of data.

Web Security and Control ensures safe and productive browsing by blocking malware, phishing attacks, anonymising proxies, and unwanted applications at the gateway before they can do any damage.  The appliances also employ real-time behavioural genotype anti-malware scanning and are automatically updated and remotely monitored by Sophos.

Sophoss latest Web Security Appliance offers a sleek and sophisticated interface, continued Mark Hardcastle.  Were safe in the knowledge that the device quietly updates and provides us with complete protection against the latest malware threats.

IT teams are quick to tell us that their existing security products are too complex to manage and when they encounter issues, they then must deal with poor support from their current security vendors, said Steve Munford, chief executive officer at Sophos.  Combine these frustrations with fact that many companies are rethinking their security strategy to better address data loss concerns and therein exists a tremendous market opportunity for Sophos.

Pricing and Availability
Sophos Security and Data Protection is available for purchase immediately. Conveniently, the solution requires a single license to activate the endpoint, email and web offerings. Sophos also provides current customers a seamless upgrade path to the new offering.  Pricing is based on a per user basis and multi-year discounts are available. Licensing for 500 users starts at 34.25** and includes 24x7 support by phone, email and web.

The new Web Security and Control appliances are also available immediately. Pricing includes a three-year advanced replacement warranty with proactive monitoring of system health and availability by Sophos and starts at 1,795 for the branch office WS500 appliance and 3,295 for the high-end WS1100. Licensing is per user and includes all detection, URL filtering and software updates as well as 24x7 support by phone, email and web.