IT Security: Removable Media
The problem
Data leaksAccording to New York based AMI Partners, studies show that 40% of all critical company data is stored on workstations. This data, as well as data accessible from the corporate network, is extremely vulnerable to theft by employees.
Companies today are investing heavily in security infrastructures to address this vulnerability. Ironically, all their efforts can be destroyed with a removable storage device such as a USB key or iPod, which are small, light weight and easily concealable.
Data transfers can be made quickly and secretively with these devices. Worse still, workstations lack the means of controlling or blocking the use of these storage devices.
Infrastructure disruption
Removable storage devices can lead to a disruption of the communication infrastructure by enabling employees to download massive volumes of pirated music or films, and then transfer them outside the organization using a CD, removable DVD or hard disks. This behavior is connected to theft and misuse of goods belonging to the company, and can also expose the company to litigation.
The solution
matrix42 provides the technology to centrally control how removable media are used on endpoints. Empirum Security Suite enables administrators to define who can use removable media or wireless connections to handheld devices. Secure devices such as USB keys with encryption or biometrics capabilities can be authorized, while all other devices are prevented from connecting.
Empirum Security Suite features to protect against the dangers of removable media
- Control of USB devices
- Control of FireWire devices
- Control of CD burning
- Control of floppy drives
- Control of Bluetooth connectivity
- Control of WiFi ad hoc connectivity
- Flexible policies with white-list and black-list approaches
