Kanguru is pleased to announce that the Defender Elite encrypted USB flash drive is now undergoing evaluation for Common Criteria EAL2+.

Common Criteria is an internationally recognized security evaluation program developed to ensure an information technology product or service meets a variety of robust government security standards. There are currently 36 nations, worldwide, which mutually recognize the merits of the Common Criteria Standard.  Kanguru’s evaluation is being overseen by the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt fur Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI)).

“By undergoing the Common Criteria evaluation, we continue to position ourselves on top of the secure portable data storage industry.” said Don Brown, CEO of Kanguru. “Common Criteria, along with our fully manageable devices and current FIPS 140-2 Validations, distinguishes our products and services as the most secure, manageable and feature rich in the portable data storage industry.”

Read more.

Data Security, Portable Storage

The Boston Herald has details on a bank executive who resigned and then left with thousands of documents belonging to his former employer, Boston Private Bank & Trust Co.

In a suit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday, Boston Private Bank & Trust accuses former lending executive Todd Rassiger of stealing proprietary information that benefits his new employer, First Republic Bank.

The 24-page lawsuit alleges that before his resignation from Boston Private Bank & Trust Co., Rassiger attached personal USB flash drives to his bank-issued computer and downloaded more than 1,500 documents, many of which included highly confidential and proprietary information.

These days, companies need to be concerned with both external cyberattacks as well as the threat posed by insiders who have access to sensitive data.  Our recent post highlights the need for endpoint security, which can block personal flash drives and keep an audit log of which files are downloaded. 

We also highly recommend remote management capabilities for all portable devices like smartphones and storage devices.  Kanguru’s Remote Management Console can be used to instantly revoke device access from employees who are leaving the organization.  Their company-issued USB drive will be remotely disabled or deleted the next time it’s plugged in.

Data Security, Financial, Portable Storage

Did you know you can personalize Kanguru USB Flash Drives?

Custom Engraving

Volume orders of Kanguru flash drives qualify for custom engraving, allowing you to label your flash drives with text, artwork, a company logo or other identifiable information. They are great as promotional tools, give-aways or prizes for marketing activities. A custom engraved flash drive is a great gift and is sure to make a lasting impression with customers and clients.

Unique Identifiers

Kanguru flash drives can be embedded with unique ID’s for use with Kanguru Remote Management Console (KRMC) and other endpoint security software.

Unique ID’s allow you to assign, track and monitor flash drive usage. Know who, when and where drives are being used across your organization.

Data Preload

Kanguru USB flash drives can be preloaded with data enabling you to distribute sales & marketing material such as Powerpoint presentations, PDF sales sheets, images, video and more. Pass them out at trade shows and meetings for extra marketing impact!

Sample Engraved Drives

For more information or a quote, click here.

Data Security, Portable Storage

According to a new study by the Ponemon Institute, 75% of the energy and utility companies that were surveyed experienced a data breach within the last year.

“We were surprised that utility companies didn’t put a higher priority on issues like smart grid and smart meters, where there’s been a lot of concern about cyberthreats,” says Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of Ponemon Institute. “Many of the people we talked to are still more focused on physical security than on cybersecurity.”

One possible attack vector being used against power companies is unsecured USB flash drives.  This was reported to be a big factor in the spread of Stuxnet last year.  Energy, utility and manufacturing companies should be taking extra measures to be sure only secure devices are plugging into industrial control equipment.

Malware, Portable Storage

Dark Reading highlights the growing number of cyber-attacks against law firms.  The law firms themselves may not always be the primary target in these attacks.  Rather, the thieves are often going after all the data pertaining to the firm’s corporate clients.  A law firm may collect massive amounts of data during the e-discovery process and the data is not always well protected.

Firms sometimes use thumb drives to gather this information. “I attended a program on e-discovery where someone from a law firm was talking about … how [people] were collecting information on thumb drives and then taking it back to the law firm. It was very insecure … a very informal kind of ad hoc process, with really no security built in,” Thomson says.

Kanguru has first-hand experience securing flash drives for legal firms.  Our encrypted devices and remote management software ensure that all data stored on thumb drives is locked down automatically, both within the firm’s network and out at client sites.  In addition, Kanguru’s USB Device Control software prevents users from bringing in unsecure flash drives and using them on the network.  Built-in Anti-virus scanners protect each thumb drive in real-time so that no trojans or other malware can infiltrate the firm’s database.

Find out more at: https://www.kanguru.com/index.php/flash-management/krmc

Data Security

Kanguru is pleased to announce that we have been chosen to provide a major healthcare provider in Maryland with secure flash drives and remote management software.  Our encrypted flash drives will help keep their patient data safe and secure, and also help them meet HIPAA regulations relating to data security and privacy. 

This is the latest of several secure flash standardizations Kanguru has recently been involved with across the government, healthcare, and financial industries.  Healthcare providers have been under increasing scrutiny lately as the Dept of Health & Human Services has stepped up enforcement of HIPAA privacy rules.  Kanguru’s remote management platform provides security against data breaches as well as audit logs for proof of compliance.

Data Security, Healthcare, Portable Storage

A recent security study shows just how much time administrators spend removing malware from K-12 School computers.  21% of respondents are doing this task daily!

Research shows that much of today’s common malware is spread on USB memory sticks.  That’s why Kanguru has added BitDefender antivirus protection into every Kanguru Defender Basic, V2 and Elite secure flash drive.  We know that K-12 Schools have been hit with shrinking budgets in recent years, so we have a discount program specifically for Educational organizations.  Contact us today to find out more.  Email defender (at) kanguru.com.

Data Security

Out with the old, in with the new.  As Kanguru continues to increase production of our flagship Defender Elite secure USB flash drive, we have phased out the previous generation Defender and Defender Pro models.  Clearance inventory can now be purchased at discounted prices here.

The older products are great for organizations that are concerned about security, but might not need the stringent requirements of FIPS 140-2 certification.  The Defender and Defender Pro use strong AES hardware encryption and do not require any software, drivers or administrator rights to use.  Check our clearance page for daily updates.

Data Security, Portable Storage

The Examplas blog picks up on a recent SC Magazine story:

We were intrigued to find out the results of a recent survey of dry cleaners today.  Yes, that’s right, dry cleaners.  How on earth could that possibly be of interest to us at Exemplas, you cry?  Well, because of one nugget of information that leapt out at us- more than 17,000 USB sticks were left in items of clothing deposited at the dry cleaners in 2010!

The survey canvassed more than 500 dry cleaners and launderettes in the UK and found that USB sticks continue to turn up where they don’t belong.

Data Security, Portable Storage

The Dept of Health and Human Services is stepping up enforcement of HIPAA privacy laws by handing out new fines against two violators.

From Government Computer News:

HIPAA requires health plans, health care clearinghouses and most health care providers to protect the privacy of patient information through administrative, physical and technical safeguards.

After an investigation by OCR, the agency found Mass General in violation when an employee left documents relating to 192 patients on a subway train. The documents, which were never recovered, included information on patient names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, health insurers and policy numbers, diagnoses and name of providers for 66 of those patients. HHS discovered the loss after a patient reported the records lost on March 9, 2009.

Mass General was fined $1 Million for this violation.  Imagine how many USB flash drives and other portable devices get lost in subway trains, taxis and other public places every year.  With HHS handing down stiff penalties, it’s time to consider security plans for these devices.

Data Security, Healthcare, Portable Storage