McAfee Asks to Re-Think Removable Media

McAfee, Inc. challenged companies to re-think 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 companies 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 behavior 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 centralized management. This enables organizations to safely enable their employees to do their job and be productive – in a secure manner.”

With today’s announcement, 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 McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator platform (McAfee ePO).

Complete Solution for Removable Media
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. It provides companies with the tools they need to monitor and control how users copy data onto these devices – regardless of whether they are in the office, at home, or on the move.

McAfee Endpoint Encryption uses industry-leading encryption algorithms and strong access control to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Endpoint Encryption offers multiple layers of protection that address specific areas of risk. Encryption is extended to PCs, laptops, network files and folders, mobile devices, removable media, and portable storage devices. Companies can secure a broad scope of information including customer data, intellectual property, legal and financial records, and employee communications.

With USB devices encrypted by McAfee-based technology, the information copied and transported on these devices is encrypted and can only be read by authorized individuals. The combination of McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator platform and range of encrypted USB devices provide centralized management and deployment from a single console, improving corporate security while reducing total cost of ownership.

Availability
McAfee Device Control, Endpoint Encryption for Removable Media 1.02 and Encrypted USB Drive are available now.