Sophos Approach to Data Protection Delivers Multi-Platform Encryption Compaibility

Sophos Ltd. announced an approach to data protection with the release of its SafeGuard Encryption 6.1.

Enabling adoption, the company is addressing two issues in encryption – performance and usability – by leveraging native OS encryption for better performance, and delivering multi-platform management across all devices and cloud environments. It offers native device encryption, cloud, mobile, removable and file share encryption in one solution, providing security.

“We’re pleased to deliver SafeGuard Encryption 6.1 with a different approach that enables people to work the way they want for new levels of productivity, without sacrificing time, performance or features,” said Dan Schiappa, SVP and GM, end-user protection group, Sophos. “With today’s announcement we enable organizations to fully embrace a data-centric approach to encryption; to reach compliance standards; and to maintain credibility and good standing in today’s market.“

SafeGuard Encryption: Performance and Usability

Performance
With SafeGuard managing Microsoft BitLocker for Windows or Mac FileVault 2, the time required to encrypt a disk and boot up the OS is reduced, as compared to third party encryption engines. Disk encryption time is up to seven times faster and boot times are up to three times faster.

Terry Myerson, EVP, Microsoft Corp., said: “From the very beginning we designed BitLocker to provide platform level encryption that provides the best possible integration, reliability, and provisioning capabilities. Sophos Safeguard offers the best of both worlds by taking everything that makes BitLocker great and adding innovative compliance and enterprise-management capabilities on top of it. This is a great example of how partners can add value on top of the Windows platform.“

Usability
The latest version SafeGuard solves the challenge of managing encryption across multiple platforms, devices, and cloud environments. Users and IT staff are able to share data between Windows, Mac and mobile devices – securing data wherever it lives and wherever it is sent. Managing multiple devices no longer means managing multiple consoles, and enables IT to embrace encryption, as organizations use a multitude of devices and platforms to support their users.

The encryption approach enables users to work the way they need to – sharing files between users, partners and customers via the cloud and the devices they use. For example, a Windows user can store data in a cloud storage system, and a partner on a Mac system can access and edit the content from their laptop or review it on their mobile device – encrypted and accessible only by intended users to provide complete data protection with encryption management in a single console.

Sophos partner KDSA Consulting has implemented the technology at several customer sites. Don Reczak, its director of technology solutions, said: “Sophos is an ideal partner for us because their solutions can easily scale to our clients’ requirements. We believe Sophos SafeGuard Encryption is a major step forward in data protection. The product is easy to manage, and enables organizations to take a complete approach to protecting its crown jewels – their users and their information. We have implemented SafeGuard Encryption for some of our customers, and will encourage many more.“

“Given today’s propensity for data to move outside of corporate owned devices and the data lifecycle lasting far beyond that of any laptop or smartphone, the need for a data first encryption mentality seems obvious,” said Charles Kolodgy, research VP, security, IDC. “Sophos SafeGuard Encryption is a promising addition to the encryption market and offers organizations a unique approach to getting encryption right.“