Capitalizing on a successful 2006 in the Middle East, Pointsec have taken an even bigger stand at GITEX this year to touch base with their existing customers and talk to regional business people about the importance of encrypting data across all mobile devices computing and storage. Focusing on the importance of mobile and removable storage devices data, such as the information on a laptop, memory stick or PDA, the company has had a number of high-profile customer wins in the past quarter and will be using the GITEX platform to announce further customer wins.
“Over two thousand companies were represented at GITEX last year, and a large majority of those brought with them devices carrying sensitive company information, whether on demonstration PCs, laptops, PDAs, phones or USB sticks,” commented Ayman Majzoub, general manager, Pointsec Middle East & Africa. “During GITEX this year we will be demonstrating Pointsec’s strong security solution that is quick to deploy and economical to operate, across laptops and desktops, on hand-held devices and smartphones, and on all removable storage media such as USB drives and CDs/DVDs. Pointsec is dedicated to providing its customers with the assurance that their sensitive and confidential information will remain secure and protected and their valuable company image will stay out of the headlines.”
In a recent survey conducted by Pointsec in EMEA, data showed that in Heathrow airport alone there are around 5 laptops and 10 mobile phones handed in to lost and found departments’ everyday with just 60% being reclaimed. The majority of these have no security software installed and when they are auctioned off the buyer ends up a collection of personal and business information as well as a valuable piece of hardware.
“In any busy forum such as an exhibition there is a high chance that executives will be carrying a storage device of some kind containing documents such as powerpoint presentations with their product roadmap or excel sheets with standard pricing lists, to prepare them for the off-the-cuff meetings that are the bread and butter of these kinds of exhibitions,” continued Majzoub. “The value of this data is immense, and we would advise users to think twice before putting company information on an unsecured device, and ask companies to put policies in place for executives out and about during trade shows.”
Pointsec has a full range of solutions that will be available for discussion and demonstration during the GITEX exhibition, covering desktop products, and recently, port control through the acquisition of Reflex Software. This will allow Pointsec solutions to control the use of all communication ports on laptops/PCs, including access to attached peripherals. Such control may be applied to prevent data transfer to USB memory devices, effectively protecting sensitive information from theft or unauthorized distribution within an organization. Pointsec also recently announced that the Pointsec for PC 6.0 product now integrates with ActivIdentity™ Smart Card ID solutions, and with ActivIdentity ActivKey™, its USB token solution, providing customers with enhanced data security through combined endpoint encryption and strong, two-factor authentication.
If you want to ensure your information stays secure whilst on the move Pointsec Mobile Technologies suggests you follow these few simple steps. If your mobile device contains any sensitive information that you want to keep to yourself, use hard disk encryption – this protects the information during the life of the laptop and beyond its active service.
1. Always set the policies enforceable using strong passwords with a combination of letters and numbers or even better using symbols.
2. If the laptop is owned by the company deploy full hard disk encryption on the device and centrally manage it.
3. Be vigilant when travelling! Be prepared that they will get lost: statistics show they probably will, so why not write pop up messages on the screen with contact details which offers a reward if it is found.
4. Ensure you have a working back up policy.
About Pointsec
Pointsec is the worldwide de facto standard for mobile device security – with the most customers deployed, highest level of certification and more complete device coverage than any other company. Pointsec delivers a trusted solution for automatic data encryption that guarantees proven protection at the most vulnerable point where sensitive enterprise data is stored – on mobile devices. By securing sensitive information stored on laptops, PDAs, smartphones, and removable media, enterprises and government organizations can protect and enhance their image, minimize risk, shield confidential data, guard information assets, and strengthen public and shareholder confidence. Pointsec’s customers include blue chip companies and government organizations around the world. Founded in 1988, Pointsec Mobile Technologies AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Protect Data AB, publicly traded (PROT) on the Stockholm stock exchange. The company has operations in 14 countries, and is represented through partners on all continents. Pointsec can be found on the web at: www.pointsec.com
For Further Information:
Aimee Peters, The Portsmouth Group, [email protected] 04 390 1795
