Data Protection — Reviews

When we tested next-generation firewalls last May, at least one important security vendor wasn't there: Cisco, because they weren't ready to be tested. Now that the ASA CX next-generation firewall has had a year to mature, we put the product through its paces, using the same methodology as our last NGFW test.

LANDesk’s foray into system, asset and user management is the latest version of its Total User Management suite, which we’ll affectionately call TUM.

In perhaps the most comprehensive roundup on the net, we take a look at cloud storage services for personal and business use from the perspective of the CIO: what they offer, what's important and what to look for.

What is big, flexible, red and costs more than your average mid-range family sedan? Not a HSV—not quite that much—but this top of the range unified threat management (UTM) device (or in this case, XTM– the X presumably being a variable) is definitely in a high performance category. The XTM2050 from WatchGuard is one of a new breed of security devices that packs punch.

When it comes retiring PCs at the office or at home, regardless of whether their final destination is a tip or to be sold to recover an investment, it goes without saying that a computer's drives need to be wiped. For the corporate environment, you're going to want to make sure no sensitive data is left behind however benign, and for the home you don't want leave any trace of personal details or credit card transactions that could be picked up and used in identify theft.

We were eager for this box to arrive from Clearswift, this kind of kit gets us excited. We were expecting a hardware appliance to be shipped to us, but when opened the box, all we found was a 1RU Dell Server.

Review of the Juniper EX4500 Ethernet switch. They connect desktops to servers in the data centre via a three-tier system of access, aggregation and core Ethernet switches.

With data becoming more valuable, the need for security also gets greater. Today’s technology and working behaviours both facilitate data being easily transported. Information is far less static due to home working, multiple office sites, low cost USB storage devices and DVDs. With all these portable devices and data being moved from place to place we must be mindful of data backup.

A vast majority of today’s workforce use USB memory sticks, they offer unequalled convenience for transferring data. In most situations, if the data is not confidential, a standard USB stick quite acceptable, but what do you use if your data is sensitive?

Cyber-attacks are constantly evolving and the attack methods used are constantly adapting. In a similar way, the traditional layers of defence have grown increasingly complex and interrelated. The convergence of security technologies to a single appliance; the Unified Threat Management (UTM) device is a logical approach and can go a long way towards managing security in most organisations.

Trend Micro's SafeSync is an Internet-based storage solution that allows you to upload files and access them from any computer or smartphone (iPhone or Android). It's a very similar service to DropBox, but it offers better value for money.

In order to improve productivity and minimise risk, most organisations need a reliable method of protecting their employees from unwanted email (spam) and malicious software (malware). In addition, it is also necessary to protect the corporate network by restricting access to inappropriate content.

Just a few short years ago, all a PC needed for protection was a basic antivirus program to guard against any malware that arrived via an e-mail attachment, embedded in a shareware application or piggy-backed on a floppy disk.