The two biggest issues in encryption, according to security vendor Sophos, are performance and usability, both of which it has addressed in the latest version of SafeGuard Encryption.
Version 6.1 can now work with the likes of Microsoft’s BitLocker for Windows and FileVault on Mac OS to both leverage their respective encryption capabilities and manage them.
This results, says Sophos, in the time required to encrypt a disk and boot up the operating system being “greatly reduced, as compared to third party encryption engines”. According to Sophos, disk encryption time is up to seven times faster and boot times are up to three times faster.
Sophos says that it is the only vendor to offer native device encryption, cloud, mobile, removable and file share encryption in one centrally managed solution, “providing unmatched security, performance, and an intuitive user experience”.
“Given today’s propensity for data to move outside of corporate owned devices and the data lifecycle lasting far beyond that of any laptop or smartphone, the need for a data first encryption mentality seems obvious,” said Charles Kolodgy, research vice president, Security, IDC. “Sophos SafeGuard Encryption is a promising addition to the encryption market and offers organisations a unique approach to getting encryption right.”
As well as performance, version 6.1 also tackles usability, previously a barrier to adoption, says Sophos. Users and IT staff can now share data safely between Windows, Mac and mobile devices, securing data wherever it lives and wherever it is sent. Managing multiple devices is made easier too, as there is no longer a need to employ multiple consoles, which enables IT to fully embrace encryption, as organisations use a multitude of devices and platforms to support their users.
This encryption approach, says Sophos, enables users to safely work the way they need to, such as sharing files between users, partners and customers via the cloud and the devices they use. The maker gives the example of a Windows user that can store data in a cloud storage system, while a partner on a Mac can access and edit the content from a laptop or review it on a mobile device, all while fully encrypted and accessible only by intended users to provide complete data protection with simplified encryption management in a single console.
“From the very beginning we designed BitLocker to provide platform level encryption that provides the best possible integration, reliability, and provisioning capabilities,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Operating Systems Group, Microsoft. “Sophos Safeguard offers the best of both worlds by taking everything that makes BitLocker great and adding innovative compliance and enterprise-management capabilities on top of it. This is a great example of how partners can add value on top of the Windows platform.”
“We’re pleased to deliver SafeGuard Encryption 6.1 with a different approach that enables people to work the way they want for new levels of productivity, without sacrificing time, performance or features,” said Dan Schiappa, senior vice president and general manager, End User Protection Group, Sophos. “We enable organisations to fully embrace a data-centric approach to encryption; to reach compliance standards; and to maintain credibility and good standing in today’s market.”
Sophos said that ICT solutions specialist Datapac has already deployed version 6.1 for users in Ireland.
“As cloud data stores grow,” said Karen O’Connor, general manager service delivery, Datapac, “organisations are increasingly challenged with finding better ways to secure their data while ensuring employees and partners can benefit from the flexibility that cloud services provide. Sophos Safeguard Enterprise 6.1 will be warmly received by many of our customers when it’s released. It provides centrally managed persistent encryption of corporate data wherever it resides, while simultaneously managing native encryption in Microsoft and Apple Operating Systems in the same console. Sophos’ encryption strategy is second-to-none and provides us with an even stronger security offering for our growing customer base.”
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