The biggest challenge of securing modern IT infrastructures is to protect networks that mix different platforms and operating systems. CoSoSys has always considered this challenge when releasing a new version of their endpoint security and data loss prevention solutions, making them available for Windows, Mac and Linux. The same holds true for the freshly released EasyLock version 2, the software developer’s portable data protection solution.

This enhanced new version offers full support for cross-platform data encryption between Windows, Mac OS X and Linux openSUSE and Ubuntu. EasyLock 2 comes with military-grade protection for data stored on USB flash drives and other portable storage devices through its 256bit AES encryption. It also allows cross platform mobility by enabling users to protect their files when in transit and to easily access them on different operating systems. 

To make things simpler, everything is handled through an easy to use, intuitive interface. As the company CEO, Roman Foeckl explained, the main goal of this new version is to take a task that’s usually perceived as complicated and time consuming, data encryption, and turn it into a natural, seamless process. A big step into keeping confidential data safe is to integrate security policies into daily activities without burdening business or home users, and that’s exactly what EasyLock achieved with this new version.

The portable data encryption solution targets both home users that want to encrypt their private files, pictures or other personal information on a USB Flash Drive or external HDD and move them between a Windows PC in the office and a Mac at home, and  business users that need to ensure the privacy and protection of company and client confidential data.

EasyLock 2 can further enhance corporate data security when used with CoSoSys’  device control and data loss prevention solution Endpoint Protector, as it provides enforced encryption of data moved between endpoints of the corporate network. If you want to test it before you buy, EasyLock2 is available as a 30 day free trial at http://www.EndpointProtector.com.

Endpoint security developer CoSoSys has released a new version of their data loss prevention, device control and endpoint security solution for Windows and Mac OS, Endpoint Protector. Offering enhanced protection, increased effectiveness and the fastest implementation time in its segment, the out-of-the-box Hardware and Virtual Appliance is now available for small, medium and large companies and organizations.

Coming with a long list of new features targeting better security, reliability, ease of use and better adapting to company structures and organization charts, Endpoint Protector 4 is designed to protect networks ranging from 20 computers (endpoints) to more than 5.000 endpoints.

Some of the top benefits of this latest Endpoint Protector solution are:

• Seamless integration in business processes
• Saving time and money when the solution is installed
• Increased security through enhanced protection
• Reducing allotted resources of the security staff
• Optimum security through enhanced stability
• Enhanced protection through complex, adaptable end efficient security
• Reliable security through enhanced monitoring and policy control

After a very successful year 2010 and many product launches and recognitions, CoSoSys announced it had been acquired by leading European Unified Threat Management vendor Astaro. Astaro plans to take over and keep both the product range of the Romanian company and their team.

The two companies will continue to develop CoSoSys’ existing range of endpoint and mobile data security solutions,and will also  collaborate on integrating CoSoSys’ device control, data loss prevention and endpoint security solution into Astaro’s Unified Threat Management solution, the Astaro Security Gateway, and on providing a level of overall security beyond any solution currently on the market.

“CoSoSys’ very talented team has created an impressive product portfolio to manage and secure the use of portable devices in companies,” said Jan Hichert, CEO of Astaro. “Unlike other solutions available in the security market, their Endpoint Protector solution is easy to use, centralized, offering comprehensive and unified endpoint and network protection. Their technology focus on both Windows and Mac platforms opens exciting possibilities for us to expand our security offering for our customers. We are looking forward to welcoming them to Astaro.”

“We are proud to work with Europe’s most skilled and dedicated network security team to build technologies that thousands of businesses will be using on a daily basis,” said Roman Foeckl, CEO of CoSoSys. “The acquisition by Astaro comes as recognition of the quality and innovation our solutions feature. We are all looking forward to continue innovating and developing solutions for the permanently evolving security challenges data security is faced with as part of Astaro.”

If you’re a Mac fan and also into device control, endpoint security or data loss prevention, you know there aren’t many solutions covering this specific area for Mac / Apple operating systems. One of the only solutions with a client dedicated to Mac is Endpoint Protector 2009, developed by CoSoSys. The Endpoint Protector 2009 Mac device control application has just been released in a new version, now including File Tracing for portable devices and offline temporary passwords.

The newly introduced features are designed to increase protection for business confidential data and to offer road warriors a way to stay active and productive when a permanent Internet connection is unavailable. Moreover, the carried data is kept safe from the common threats posted by improper usage of portable storage devices that often leads to severe security breaches. When enabled, the File Tracing feature logs all data and file related activity and stores it for later auditing. Each time an employee edits, deletes or renames a certain file originating from or subsequently copied to a portable device, his actions are recorded, along with his user credentials and the device specifications.

The new Endpoint Protector release for Mac OS X device control allows authorized company representatives to issue temporary offline passwords for staffers who are traveling. When on a business trip, employees might be unable to connect to the Internet and need to authorize a new portable device, a memory stick to save a presentation for an event etc. To help them save time and complete their tasks, a temporary offline password can be provided to them by phone and subsequently they can authorize devices for a period ranging from 30 minutes to one week.

“The new Mac version of Endpoint Protector focuses on two important aspects of device control and data loss prevention – keeping a close eye on data activity within the company to prevent possible leaks or theft (and File Tracing enables the needed close watch and audit) and making sure productivity and mobility are not impaired by security policies, while at the same time providing a safe way to work with portable devices,” explains Roman Foeckl, CoSoSys CEO.

To find out more about the device control and endpoint security solution for Mac, Endpoint Protector 2009, go here. Also, the full press release for the new version is available here.

As some of you may know, the Stuxnet worm (and Conficker) has been running amok on both private and corporate networks. The malware spreading via USB devices is always the source of new threats. The latest development of Stuxnet exploits zero day vulnerabilities to target supervisory control firms and data acquisition (Scada) and other industrial systems. Such systems are being used to control pipelines’ pressure or motor work rates on industrial factory floors. Typical environments can be oil pipelines and power-plants, factories etc.

Conficker/Stuxnet detects platforms with Scada systems installed on and uses Windows vulnerabilities to gain access and spread through the network. In the light of current events and the continuous spread of the worm through USB ports and USB portable devices, endpoint security and data loss prevention solution developer CoSoSys has created a four-step strategy against Stuxnet that’s extremely easy to implement:

1. Disable the Autorun function for all portable storage devices
To do so, all you need is AutoRun Disable by Endpoint Protector, a free software available here.

2. Block all USB ports and all other connection interfaces for all computers in your network. There are a few endpoint security solutions you can use to achieve this: Secure it Easy, Endpoint Protector, or the software as a service My Endpoint Protector solution which is free for home users. More details on the solutions mentioned above can be found here.

3. Make sure your Antivirus is up to date

4. Make sure you perform all available Windows updates

Keeping your company or home computer network safe from day to day threats that could lead to data theft, data loss, identity theft or malware infections has never been easier. My Endpoint Protector, software as a service device control and data security solution developed by CoSoSys, is now offering an app version available for iPads, iPhones and iPod touch devices through the iTunes store.

With a few touches, you can use the app’s centralized console to authorize new devices, monitor file transfers and access to sensitive data and block portable devices, making sure all common threats are kept at bay. In a world where the unsecured use of portable storageand lifestyle devices – smartphones, notebooks, USB sticks, digital cameras or extern HDDs – can lead to tremendous data breaches and severe losses for both companies and individuals, having a smart and effective app at your fingertips preventing it all is extremely important.

The iPhone and iPad app makes sure you can handle your security issues when being caught in a lengthy meeting, when being on the road and unable to plug in a netbook or reach a computer with an Internet connection. It saves time and works quickly, making it all easy.

“Lifestyle devices such as USB flash drives, mobile phones and portable computers started out as being smaller, portable and a lot more fun than their static predecessors, while fulfilling our need of communication. As they evolved, getting smarter and smaller, they have also changed our lifestyle. We can have business presentations on an iPad and send emails from our iPhone while keeping in touch with friends and partners, so why not go with the trend and offer the possibility of doing more important tasks from our mobile devices, such as handling the security of a business network or that of our home computers?” explained Roman Foeckl, CoSoSys CEO.

Key benefits of the My Endpoint Protector App

• Easily manage business or home computers through a centralized console available on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
• The My Endpoint Protector App and the cloud service powering it require no specific security expertise or complicated learning process
• Closely monitor access to your business and personal sensitive files regardless of location and available IT infrastructure; the portable and highly mobile devices you are already carrying are enough
• Allow or deny access to specific devices without needing to wait until you reach a desktop or plug in and start your notebook; for example, allow access to employee smart phones and deny access to your children’s USB sticks

More information about the My Endpoint Protector App can be found on iTunes:
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-endpoint-protector/id379244830

or on the Endpoint Protector website here:
http://www.endpointprotector.com/en/index.php/products/my_endpoint_protector_SaaS

The in-the-cloud data loss prevention and endpoint security solution developed by CoSoSys has just been launched on the Japanese market by their local partner, Uptown Inc. For those new to the Security as a Service world of endpoint security, My Endpoint Protector is the world’s first software as a service application for device control and data loss prevention that helps companies manage internal and external threats effectively, thus dodging the overwhelming threats harbored by the broad use of portable storage devices and at the same time avoiding to put unnecessary pressure on IT departments and budgets.

My Endpoint Protector’ main benefits include:

• Proactive protection against data loss, data theft, data leakage and malware infection by controlling the use of portable devices
• Protection for Windows PCs (7 / Vista / XP) and Mac OS X
• Effective device management and control by defining specific usage rights for both devices and employees accessing the network
• Centralized Web-based interface for ease of management and reporting, plus real-time monitoring of devices



• Comprehensive audit trail through device activity logs
• Enforced encryption for all sensitive files in transit
• Easy policy enforcement using customizable templates
• Offline mode to protect PCs when they are disconnected from the network, even if the user has administrative rights on that machine

It is indeed an easy to set up, maintenance free and pain free data loss and endpoint security solution and its availability in the cloud also spares companies from pain inducing spendings on new hardware and software platforms. If you’d like to test it, here’s a link to the free trial. And if you’re in Japan and want to know more about Uptown Inc, here are a few details: they provide software solutions for multiple platforms and cloud solutions in Japan. The companies head office is located in Saitama, Japan. Uptown distributes products through resellers or directly to users at http://www.uptown.jp.

If you’re interested in protecting yourself against data theft, data leakage and other USB device related risks and would also like to help needy children, then you’re going to love the License to hope campaign! Powered by CoSoSys and the Romanian Foundation for Children, Community and Family, License to hope aims to create an education center with 50 properly equipped laptops and providing computer usage training to 150 marginalized children yearly.

Meet the children

To do so, CoSoSys will donate 50% from all revenue generated by Secure it Easy license sales. Secure it easy is an easy to install endpoint security software that helps protect notebooks and PCs in small and home offices as well as home users from portable storage device threats. You can use it to lock down USB Ports in seconds and control your PC’s endpoint devices.

Want to be part of this amazing campaign? Then check out Secure it Easy first and see if you need it. You can also add a badge to your website or become a fan of the License to hope campaign on Facebook.. And they’re also on Twitter. See the full press release here.

We wish you warm, joyful and safe holidays this year! All the best from the Endpoint Security Info team!

Yes, folks it was bound to happen. Device Control, Data Loss Prevention and endpoint security applications were bound to conquer the new over-hyped platforms, Windows 7 and Snow Leopard. And the first one to reach this performance is the latest version of Endpoint Protector 2009, developed by CoSoSys, a leading developer of endpoint security and portable storage device applications. The new version has a clear purpose, one that is a must for all companies interested in security: allowing them to test and implement the most recent operating systems, while protecting them from common threats yielded by extreme data portability and mobility.

“Our goal is to keep companies safe while allowing them to test, implement and turn the latest breakthroughs in software and hardware platforms into a profitable advantage. Releasing a version for the Windows 7 operating system – which is currently one of the most hyped and critically appraised platforms – and for Mac OS X Snow Leopard is a natural step in our ongoing strive to adapt to as many IT environments as possible. It also complements our efforts of maintaining a high level of mobility and productivity for non-technical users by providing them with a continuously increasing range of controlled portable devices, from iPods, cameras and USB sticks to ExpressCard SDD and printers,” explains Roman Foeckl, CoSoSys CEO.

To test the new version of Endpoint Protector 2009, you can download the 30 days trial or check out the online demo at http://www.EndpointProtector.com.