McAfee asks companies to rethink security for removable media devices

Emirates Business 24-7, 22 December 2009

IT security technology company McAfee has advised companies to rethink their approach to removable media devices.

By providing a framework for companies to approach removable media strategies, McAfee aims to provide its customers with “freedom through security”.

// McAfee’s formula includes providing device control, endpoint encryption and encrypted USB devices to help firms achieve this freedom.

“Enterprises are looking for ways to solve the evolving and critical problem of data loss via removable media storage devices,” said Brian Burke, Program Director, Security Product Services at IDC

“Employee-sourced storage devices, employer-provided USB sticks, and the management and enforcement of corporate device policy all need to be addressed in a cost-effective manner that doesn’t sacrifice security. A complete removable media solution requires behaviour and content-aware controls, fully-secure managed devices for users with integrated anti-malware, and portable software encryption.”

Companies, employees and their data are more mobile than ever before, and the number of removable media devices is skyrocketing. These changes have created new risks and new management challenges for businesses of all sizes, which must determine policies and maintain control of how users work with devices such as USB memory sticks.

“Encryption is not enough,” said Gerhard Watzinger, General Manager and Executive Vice-President of McAfee’s Data Protection Business Unit. “Companies must manage device usage in order to cut down on harmful data loss, but they must also enable safe usage of USB devices. McAfee is the only security company to combine encryption with centralised management. This enables organisations to safely enable their employees to do their job and be productive – in a secure manner.”

McAfee is providing businesses with a way to manage removable media through a combination of device control, encrypted USB devices, and software encryption, all integrated though ePolicy Orchestrator.

McAfee Device Control protects data from leaving a company’s control and falling into the wrong hands through removable media, such as USB drives, MP3 players, CDs and DVDs.

By Staff Writer

© Emirates Business 24/7 2009

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