Many organizations are looking for new ways to increase the productivity of offsite users.  This no longer includes just the field team, but is now including more general employees who can be enabled to work from home.  The US Government is extending its Telework policy with this sort of flexible arrangement in mind.

Security and managability are key issues to consider in a Telework policy.  Kanguru and Absolute ID have designed the RocIT Defender virtual platform with these priorities in mind.

1. Secure, Portable Operating System on a hardware encrypted flash drive.  (FIPS 140-2 version available)

2. Not vulnerable to infection by malware and viruses on untrusted machines. Device can bypass all of this!

3. Can be remotely managed: delete lost or stolen drives, update files on device, etc.

4. Lower total cost of ownership with stronger security than notebook and tablet computers.

Find out more about the RocIT Defender “PC on a Stick” at our website.

Data Security, Government

UPI is reporting on a story from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, which has all the ingredients of a great mystery plot:  Secret battle plans, a missing USB flash drive and a potential cover-up.

“The military unit, the DSC and ministry of defense were all informed of the case but never took action,” a source said in the Yonhap report. “It (the drive) contains confidential information on national security, but nobody knows where it is.”

The story lacks detail, but it’s not a stretch to believe that a large organization has know idea where it’s IT assets are.  This is a common problem.

Kanguru’s Remote Management Console solves this issue for USB flash drives.  Administrators can view exactly when and where each device is being used.  The moment that a drive is reported missing, an automatic delete or disable command can be issued from the console.

Data Security, Government, Portable Storage

The loss of portable devices is gaining more attention as companies strive to balance security concerns with user productivity.  Last week, a group of experts gathered to discuss laptops in particular.

Intel on Thursday brought together a panel of technology security experts to discuss the findings of a recent survey it sponsored, entitled, “The Billion Dollar Lost Laptop Problem.” Conducted by Ponemon Institute, the survey gathered data from 329 organizations that have lost a total of more than 86,000 laptops worth a combined $2.1 billion in the past year. Forty-six percent of these systems contained confidential data, but 70 percent lacked basic precautions including encryption, back-up and anti-theft technology.

The numbers are similarly scary for portable storage devices like USB flash drives.  While these drives are extremely convenient for employees, the data stored on the drives needs to be protected.

Members of the panel pointed out two key areas for improving security.  One was implementing security controls that don’t require user intervention.  When implementing encryption, it should be seamless and automatically enforced.  Another method of improving security is to include a remote kill or disable technology, so that lost devices can be locked down and secure from leaking data.  Making these features standard in portable devices will go a long way toward preventing future data breaches.

Data Security, Portable Storage

German IT distributor, OPTIMAL System-Beratung, was overwhelmed by visitors’ interest in the Kanguru Defender Elite at the it-sa security convention in Nuremberg, and the local press is beginning to take notice as well.

“The experts were particularly interested in the virtual operating system and enterprise-wide management of the sticks,” said Bert Rheinbach, managing director of OPTIMAL System-Beratung.

Read more:

Cartoon explains the most secure USB Stick in the world, Elektronik Praxis (german)

How the most secure USB flash drive in the world works, CRN.de (german)

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Data Security, Portable Storage

Kanguru invites European IT Professionals to meet us at it-sa 2010, die IT-Security Messe, in Nürnberg on 19-21 October.

We will be exhibiting with our local distribution partner, OPTIMAL.  Product demonstrations will include Kanguru Defender encrypted USB memory sticks, Remote Management software and the RocIT Defender “PC on a Stick”.

Visit the OPTIMAL/Kanguru stand in Nürnberg or contact OPTIMAL for more information about selling or purchasing Kanguru products in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Events, Portable Storage

Kanguru is introducing the new RocIT Defender Elite platform to US Army technology experts at the 2010 LandWarNet Conference this week.  RocIT Defender Elite is a Secure Mobile Operating System designed to meet military security needs, including support for CAC, PIV and Smart Cards.  Instead of using an untrusted host computer, users boot directly to a secure virtual OS running on the encrypted USB flash drive.  The local hardware is completely bypassed.  RocIT Defender Elite leaves no footprint on the host computer – meaning your privacy and data are secure.

Data Security

11 Things You Can Do With Kanguru Defender Elite Encrypted Flash Drives

1. Communicate security policy changes and updates directly to the drive and enforce changes as necessary via remote management.
2. Audit drive usage to ensure policy updates.
3. Create lists (whitelist/blacklist) of approved IP ranges so that drives are only used in trusted locations.
4. Track device usage and location via IP addresses.
5. Set a master password for administrator access.
6. Immunize any PC or Laptop with Defender Elite’s onboard Anti-Virus.
7. Disable and/or delete devices that have been lost or stolen.
8. Meet regulatory requirements through the use of a verifiable security audit trail.
9. Track device activity on each workstation/computer using Kanguru USB Device Control.
10. Revoke drive access to former employees still in possession of their drives.  (Particularly useful if their drive contains proprietary company info.)
11. Sleep well knowing that 100% of your data is secure!

Data Security

With the launch of the Defender Basic, Kanguru now has a Secure USB Flash Drive for every segment and budget.

Defender Basic for consumers and small/medium businesses.  Basic model features 256 AES Hardware Encryption and free onboard Antivirus protection.

Defender V2 for large enterprises.  V2 adds Remote Management capabilities and additional customizable security options.

Defender Elite for high-end enterprise and government agencies.  Elite provides FIPS 140-2 certified encryption and tamperproof housing for the ultimate in security.

Check out our comparison chart to determine which Kanguru Defender is right for your organization.

Data Security, Portable Storage

The Kanguru Remote Management Console – Cloud Edition was recently reviewed at eSecurityPlanet.com.  We’d like to thank Lisa Phifer for thoroughly testing the platform and giving us great feedback and suggestions.  While this review provides a helpful tour of the platform, Kanguru is ready to help you evaluate for yourself and “try before you buy”.

 We would also like to respond to some of the feedback and give additional details where it might be helpful.

• To clarify pricing:  KRMC Cloud retails for $19.95 per drive per year, with volume licensing options available.  Optional BitDefender anti-virus renewal is $7.95 per drive per year.
• Linux and Mac OS compatibility will be available soon for Defender Elite flash drives.  This functionality will be added to existing hardware through a secure remote software update.
• Automatic license assignment is available for centralized provisioning.
• The ability to deactivate and disable onboard AV without Kanguru’s help will soon be available as a provisioning option.
• A number of the “wish items” are available in the more full-featured Enterprise version of KRMC.

Data Security, Portable Storage

If you own a Defender Elite flash drive, adding Kanguru’s web-based remote management is quick, easy and inexpensive.  Just follow these steps:

1.  Click “Reset to factory default” and run the setup wizard.  (Be sure to backup your data.)

2.  Select “Enable KRMC Cloud”:

If this option does not appear, you may need to update to a newer Defender Elite version.  Update your drive when prompted or go to http://support.kanguru.com to download a free update tool.

3.  Purchase a KRMC Cloud license at Kanguru.com or contact your Kanguru Reseller for volume purchasing information.

KRMC Cloud allows you to manage your Defender Elite flash drives anywhere in the world.  As an administrator you can manage passwords, enforce security policies and remotely disable/delete lost drives.

Data Security, Portable Storage