Wave Launching Cloud-Based Encryption Management Service

Wave Systems Corp. has launched Wave Encryption Service (WES), a scalable subscription-based service for data protection.

Able to be deployed quickly and managed efficiently on demand, Wave’s
service allows organizations to centrally enforce data encryption
policies on laptops across the organization to secure data and meet
compliance regulations – without the complexity and cost associated with
an on-premise solution.

WES manages a variety of client encryption solutions, including
folder-level software encryption and Microsoft Bitlocker. Notably, WES
is the a cloud-based service for managing Opal self-encrypting drives
(SEDs), which offer security and performance benefits over other forms
of encryption.

The service has earned favorable marks from one of its first customers. Salisbury Bank and Trust Company
deployed the service in late 2011 for laptops used by the sales force
and executive team. It is a service community bank headquartered in
Northwestern Connecticut, with locations in Western Massachusetts and in
New York.

"What we really like about Wave Encryption Service is the simplicity
it brings to protecting data on our laptops. It’s easy to set up, use
and administer," said Todd Clinton, Salisbury Bank’s Senior VP and CTO.

Clinton noted the easy-to-navigate console, which lets him set up alerts
and run monthly reports on noteworthy events, such as the encryption
status for specific computers by location. He also noted that the WES
implementation helped the bank earn favorable marks during a recent
independent security audit.

In addition to cost, scalability was important to Clinton.

"We evaluated solutions from other vendors," he said. "But
most had strict minimum seat requirements that we just didn’t meet. So
the choice was pretty easy – plus Wave gave us the flexibility to manage
multiple types of encryption as our needs change."

Clinton is using WES to manage file and folder encryption for now, but
he anticipates adding SEDs on new platforms in the future.

Brian Berger, Wave’s Executive VP of Marketing and Sales, noted that WES
is an option for both small and medium businesses and the enterprise.

"Some data protection laws on the state and federal level mandate
encryption at the endpoint, no matter how big or small the business or
the size of its IT budget," Berger said. "The Wave Encryption
Service is designed to provide the same compliance-grade security of an
on-premise solution, without the complexity or cost. It can eliminate
the need to install or maintain third-party software and can be
implemented securely in the Cloud. We believe it is an ideal alternative
for the cost-conscious SMB and the enterprise."

The Wave Encryption Service Advantage:

• On-demand encryption management. Simply point and click
• Automatic configuration of leading encryption technologies via a
  single Web interface: SEDs from all the leading storage vendors;
  Microsoft BitLocker – Microsoft’s encryption application included in
  Windows 7; File and folder encryption
• Business ready with pre-configured compliance security policies
• Transparent to users.
• Optimized for business with subscription-based payment options