GRIC, provider of enterprise-class mobile and remote worker solutions, has introduced Total Security Protection, that it describes as a policy-based security system for remote access.
Delivered as a managed service, the product enables enterprises to reduce remote access risks and complexity while maximizing mobile and remote worker productivity, it is claimed. The product includes policy enforcement and automatic remediation capabilities from Sygate. GRIC integrates these products into a security system that enterprises can control via GRIC’s real-time management console, it is claimed. The system is compatible with all popular VPNs and integrates with enterprises’ existing security infrastructures, the makers say. Enterprises can create a customized Total Security Protection service that is tailored to their needs, the firm says.
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Risks
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Many enterprises allow mobile and remote employees to access corporate networks and applications using internet-based remote access, according to GRIC. This form of access enables enterprises to extend the reach of their corporate networks and boost mobile and remote worker productivity.<br>
However, internet-based remote access exposes enterprises to malicious and unintentional security threats. These threats are growing as hackers find new ways to penetrate corporate networks and as "always-on" broadband access and new wireless access technologies including Wi-Fi become more popular.<br>
According to the CERT Coordination Centre, a government-funded security group, the number of security incidents rose from 21,756 in 2000 to 137,529 in 2003. The latest Computer Security Institute/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey identified Internet connections as the most frequent point of attack on corporate networks.
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Partial protection
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Enterprises have invested in an array of security tools such as firewalls, data encryption, user authentication, and other measures to make Internet-based remote access more secure. This includes security tools that enterprises purchase and manage on their own as well as security capabilities provided by remote access service providers. However, these approaches are only partly effective, claim GRIC. Many service providers do not integrate centralised management as well as policy enforcement and remediation capabilities in their remote access services. Enterprises that try to manage their own remote access security infrastructures have found that "do-it-yourself" approaches are time-consuming, complex, and costly.
Total protection
GRIC’s Total Security Protection provides a policy-based security barrier from the remote end point to the corporate LAN, it is claimed. Enterprises can protect all mobile and remote workers, whether they’re on the road, at home, or in branch offices, and regardless of access method or device used. The product supports security capabilities including user authentication; VPN (IPsec and SSL-based); anti-virus; intrusion prevention; policy management and enforcement; and automatic remediation. These capabilities are based on best-of-breed technology from vendors including Sygate, RSA Security, Cisco, Nortel, Netscreen, Neoteris, SonicWALL, ZyXEL and others. As a managed service, GRIC delivers Total Security Protection at a fraction of the cost of "do-it-yourself" approaches, it is claimed. It enables enterprises to reduce staff time required to deploy, integrate, manage, monitor and support remote access security infrastructures.
