80,000 UK Defence Sector PCs secure data with Reflex Disknet Pro and Reflex DataVault HMG enterprise agreements
March, 2004
80,000 UK Defence Sector PCs secure data with Reflex Disknet Pro and Reflex DataVault HMG enterprise agreements
Background
'Virtually every aspect of generating, applying and supporting defence logistics capability depends on CIS (Comms and Information Systems), therefore its security, integrity and resilience are of paramount importance to Defence outputs.' UK MoD.
The potential security risks posed by notebooks and portable storage devices that plug into a PC's USB or FireWire ports have been well documented recently. Organisations have a responsibility towards data protection and software compliance; it is simply not acceptable for incidents either from accident or intent to occur.
Nowhere else is this responsibility greater than within the UK's defence environment. Always at the forefront of security, the MoD has been using Reflex Disknet to counter the infection threats from floppy disk since 1992.
With the advent of the Windows 2000/XP Plug 'n' Play operating systems and directives such as JSP 440, the defence sector has had to extend its boundaries further and more comprehensively. Never before have the risks from illegal export and import of data been so real.
The Ministry of Defence recognised these threats and in 2003 signed its first enterprise agreement to cover all 25,000+ RAF PCs with Reflex Disknet Pro to manage the removable media threat. To this date, over 80,000 Defence PCs are protected with Reflex Disknet Pro. Earlier this year another enterprise agreement was agreed to provide Reflex DataVault HMG hard disk encryption to 4,000 RAF notebooks to take the Defence total to more than 22,000.
Ministry of Defence
Within the UK the MoD is the second largest user of IT with over 150,000 PCs. Responsible for defending the United Kingdom and promoting international peace, the diverse nature of its work is reflected both in its workforce and arena of operations.
Historically this sector has been at the forefront of technological advancement in every area of its operations. As such a great amount of importance is placed on being at the cutting edge of information technology.
Ministry of Defence spokesperson:
'Making the best use of information technology to command military forces will be as important as the weapons themselves. Information systems can give us a crucial military advantage. The MOD therefore focuses on areas where we can really make a difference, such as communications and information systems.'
The Requirements
Peter D'Ardenne, Wing Commander RAF, comments: 'With USB devices, if you plug it straight into the computer you can bypass passwords and get right on the system … we had to plug that gap.'
To facilitate flexibility, information availability and mobility MoD staff are increasingly using notebooks and portable storage devices as part of their daily work. However, with portability comes the increased threat of loss or theft of the data.
With large numbers of staff and the associated risks there was a need to take appropriate steps to protect employees and the organisation from the potential problems caused by unmanaged user access to notebooks and/or portable storage; either removing sensitive data, or introducing virus infected, untested, or unlicensed software.
With the threats identified, defence officials wanted to take a proactive stance and use sophisticated technology solutions to ensure critical data is secure.
The Solutions
Reflex Disknet Pro offered the granularity and layered approach that the RAF required. With the ability to scan all incoming media for virus and ensure it is data only, this avenue of vulnerability is immediately blocked. Scanned media is then signed as authorised for use within an organisation's network; as soon as any changes are made outside the network, the media is automatically unauthorised and requires rescanning.
On the desktop itself, Reflex Disknet Pro prevents the creation, modification, and deletion of any defined file types. There can be no unauthorised additions to the hard drive from any source - from .exe to .mp3; the list is fully configurable.
Individual or group profiles give the ability to centrally manage, monitor, log, audit and alert attempted security breaches in any number of different ways allowing for a truly flexible approach to organisation wide security.
Having seen Reflex Disknet Pro in action, the RAF moved to purchase a 25,000 user enterprise agreement. With sections including HQ Land among others, over 80,000 Defence PCs now have Reflex Disknet Pro protection.
Reflex DataVault HMG was seen as the best choice for both new and existing notebooks within the RAF. Its unique architecture made it the most adaptable, robust, and cost effective encryption solution available.
This elegant solution is very simple to use and deploy; users do not need to have any knowledge of encryption to use it.
Virtual drive(s) can be mounted on the local hard disk up to 4TB in size, any data or program within the vault is automatically encrypted on the fly (AES). This approach gives immense flexibility as it allows the configuration of shared notebooks with each user having their own personal vault. All other systems drives can be hidden from view so the user cannot save anywhere else. Total encryption without the associated support, stability or maintenance issues with full hard disk encryption.
Installation takes minutes and the availability of the Key Server (HMG) allows for remote key management making the set up quick and easy.
With a 4,000 enterprise agreement with the RAF included, the total Defence population of Reflex DataVault HMG has now reached 22,000.
Background
'Virtually every aspect of generating, applying and supporting defence logistics capability depends on CIS (Comms and Information Systems), therefore its security, integrity and resilience are of paramount importance to Defence outputs.' UK MoD.
The potential security risks posed by notebooks and portable storage devices that plug into a PC's USB or FireWire ports have been well documented recently. Organisations have a responsibility towards data protection and software compliance; it is simply not acceptable for incidents either from accident or intent to occur.
Nowhere else is this responsibility greater than within the UK's defence environment. Always at the forefront of security, the MoD has been using Reflex Disknet to counter the infection threats from floppy disk since 1992.
With the advent of the Windows 2000/XP Plug 'n' Play operating systems and directives such as JSP 440, the defence sector has had to extend its boundaries further and more comprehensively. Never before have the risks from illegal export and import of data been so real.
The Ministry of Defence recognised these threats and in 2003 signed its first enterprise agreement to cover all 25,000+ RAF PCs with Reflex Disknet Pro to manage the removable media threat. To this date, over 80,000 Defence PCs are protected with Reflex Disknet Pro. Earlier this year another enterprise agreement was agreed to provide Reflex DataVault HMG hard disk encryption to 4,000 RAF notebooks to take the Defence total to more than 22,000.
Ministry of Defence
Within the UK the MoD is the second largest user of IT with over 150,000 PCs. Responsible for defending the United Kingdom and promoting international peace, the diverse nature of its work is reflected both in its workforce and arena of operations.
Historically this sector has been at the forefront of technological advancement in every area of its operations. As such a great amount of importance is placed on being at the cutting edge of information technology.
Ministry of Defence spokesperson:
'Making the best use of information technology to command military forces will be as important as the weapons themselves. Information systems can give us a crucial military advantage. The MOD therefore focuses on areas where we can really make a difference, such as communications and information systems.'
The Requirements
Peter D'Ardenne, Wing Commander RAF, comments: 'With USB devices, if you plug it straight into the computer you can bypass passwords and get right on the system … we had to plug that gap.'
To facilitate flexibility, information availability and mobility MoD staff are increasingly using notebooks and portable storage devices as part of their daily work. However, with portability comes the increased threat of loss or theft of the data.
With large numbers of staff and the associated risks there was a need to take appropriate steps to protect employees and the organisation from the potential problems caused by unmanaged user access to notebooks and/or portable storage; either removing sensitive data, or introducing virus infected, untested, or unlicensed software.
With the threats identified, defence officials wanted to take a proactive stance and use sophisticated technology solutions to ensure critical data is secure.
The Solutions
Reflex Disknet Pro offered the granularity and layered approach that the RAF required. With the ability to scan all incoming media for virus and ensure it is data only, this avenue of vulnerability is immediately blocked. Scanned media is then signed as authorised for use within an organisation's network; as soon as any changes are made outside the network, the media is automatically unauthorised and requires rescanning.
On the desktop itself, Reflex Disknet Pro prevents the creation, modification, and deletion of any defined file types. There can be no unauthorised additions to the hard drive from any source - from .exe to .mp3; the list is fully configurable.
Individual or group profiles give the ability to centrally manage, monitor, log, audit and alert attempted security breaches in any number of different ways allowing for a truly flexible approach to organisation wide security.
Having seen Reflex Disknet Pro in action, the RAF moved to purchase a 25,000 user enterprise agreement. With sections including HQ Land among others, over 80,000 Defence PCs now have Reflex Disknet Pro protection.
Reflex DataVault HMG was seen as the best choice for both new and existing notebooks within the RAF. Its unique architecture made it the most adaptable, robust, and cost effective encryption solution available.
This elegant solution is very simple to use and deploy; users do not need to have any knowledge of encryption to use it.
Virtual drive(s) can be mounted on the local hard disk up to 4TB in size, any data or program within the vault is automatically encrypted on the fly (AES). This approach gives immense flexibility as it allows the configuration of shared notebooks with each user having their own personal vault. All other systems drives can be hidden from view so the user cannot save anywhere else. Total encryption without the associated support, stability or maintenance issues with full hard disk encryption.
Installation takes minutes and the availability of the Key Server (HMG) allows for remote key management making the set up quick and easy.
With a 4,000 enterprise agreement with the RAF included, the total Defence population of Reflex DataVault HMG has now reached 22,000.
