New Sophos solution addresses data loss concerns and compliance

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, e-mail and Web security products. With data from Sophos's Endpoint Assessment Test indicating that 90% 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.

“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.”

Sophos Endpoint Security and Data Protection 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.

Protecting data in transit, Email Security and Data Protection incorporates Sophos's threat protection and content filtering capabilities with new e-mail data protection functionality, including integrated SPX Encryption, a patent-pending e-mail encryption technology simplifying deployment and management.

“With one newly infected Web page 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,” says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos South Africa. 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 organisation's 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.

“By creating a single solution proposition for endpoint, e-mail 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,” Myroff says.