Clearswift introduces ARgon for Email – the elemental approach to data loss prevention

Clearswift, the global cyber security solutions provider, has launched ARgon for Email, an adaptive data loss prevention (DLP) solution. ARgon is powered by Clearswift's award-winning Adaptive Redaction (AR) technology enabling organisations to easily implement adaptive DLP within their existing email security infrastructure, reducing risk from next generation inbound and outbound information threats.

ARgon promises to change the game within the DLP industry and present big opportunities for the channel. Companies see DLP as expensive and proprietary and limited in flexibility with an archaic 'stop and block' nature. ARgon eradicates these limitations, offering low-cost compatibility and the ability to adapt.

ARgon co-exists with incumbent email security providers, overcoming the problem of costs associated with a rip and replace strategy. Ease and speed of deployment is another key benefit, enabling organisations to quickly realise an adaptive security model, a must for today's agile organisation.

"DLP has traditionally been associated with roadblocks to business practice, as traditional technologies would simply stop content from being delivered, disrupting the flow of information and costing time, money and even reputation. With ARgon's in-built Adaptive Redaction features, this is no longer an issue, enabling agile business continuous collaboration," said Dr. Guy Bunker, SVP Products at Clearswift.

"With ARgon and its inherent vendor neutrality, Clearswift offers a tremendous opportunity to its partners and solution providers," says Matthew Helling at Softcat, "DLP has been a challenging sell for many years because it often involves complex integration, but with ARgon's limitless compatibility, the channel has a real chance to make DLP more attainable and affordable; delivering tangible value to its customers."

In defining policies, ARgon enables bidirectional, both context and content aware definitions, and also comes with commonplace regulatory compliance automated redaction configurations such as PCI DSS – the Payment Card Industry standards, intended to optimise the security of credit, debit and cash card transactions.

Data loss from accidental or malicious insiders has an ever more critical impact for businesses. New Clearswift research* highlighted 73% of data breaches in 2014 were directly from the extended enterprise, compared to just 58% only two years ago. The most prominent concerns associated with data loss are reputational damage (48%), a loss of customers or market share (53%) and loss of competitive advantage (48%) – making it a company-wide issue.

Data protection regulation is moving swiftly up the agenda in the business and political spheres, with new EU legislation expected to appear this year, bringing with it harsh penalties for those who don't comply. 78% of decision makers are considering a DLP solution in order to comply with the new rules and with financial and reputational damage at risk.

Regulation and the insider threat are driving the need for a stringent DLP approach, while an agile and openly collaborative environment is being demanded by business; ARgon solves this problem.

According to Heidi Shey, Analyst - Security & Risk, Forrester Research, Inc. '78% of respondents in a recent DLP study believe that the priority of reducing risk and improving organisations security posture starts at the network. DLP is seen as a valuable data protection tool, but only 28% believe today's features/functions are sufficient**.' Fran Howarth of Bloor Research adds, 'based on recent evidence Clearswift's Adaptive-DLP and ARgon for Email is addressing the necessary changes required in the DLP market; challenging implementation difficulties, disruptions due to false positives and inadequate monitoring, whilst utilising the existing infrastructure to protect existing security layers. It is a real game changer in the solution to data loss prevention for today's organisation.'

ARgon for Email – straightforward, rapidly realised Data Loss Prevention for everyone.

*This data was taken from two research projects, conducted by technology research firm Loudhouse on behalf of Clearswift. The first of which 500 IT Decision makers and 4000 employees were polled to gauge the level of threat from insiders; the second of which 200 senior decision makers who are responsible for DLP were polled to gauge their attitudes and opinions of the current DLP market. Data sheets from these surveys are available on request.
** Rethinking DLP: Introducing The Forrester DLP Maturity Grid, Forrester, January 2015.