Sophos Focuses On Cloud Storage Security

Sophos launched Monday the latest version of SafeGuard Enterprise, which adds cloud storage security to the collection of modules for encryption and data loss prevention on desktops, laptops and removable media.

SafeGuard Enterprise 6, introduced at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, provides encryption of files uploaded to file-sharing services, such as Dropbox, Egnyte or Microsoft Skydrive. The encryption prevents people without authorization from accessing confidential data.

"Encryption takes place on the client before any data is synchronized, so you have full control of the safety of your data and need have no concerns if the security of your cloud storage provider is breached," Robert Zeh, product manager for data protection at U.K.-based Sophos, said in a statement.

Files remain encrypted whether copied or moved to another drive, network or device. SafeGuard Enterprise also provides single sign-on for the operating system and accessing files.

For companies with employees accessing file-sharing services with mobile devices, Sophos launched Mobile Encryption App, which works in conjunction with Cloud Storage. Smartphones or tablets that have the app can access encrypted files in the cloud.

For encrypting sensitive files on corporate networks, Sophos introduced SafeGuard FileShare, which uses central keys in providing access to files to authorized users or groups. In addition, the files remain encrypted whether copied or moved to another drive, network or device.

SafeGuard Enterprise includes a management console for controlling every aspect of data protection, including policies, keys, users and operating systems. The console "not only gives you the full control but provides full compliance, which you can prove," Zeh said.

Also at RSA, Sophos announced integration between SafeGuard Enterprise and the Egnyte HybridCloud file server. The partnership provides customers with the ability to define and manager their own encryption keys, giving them more control over the security of their data.

"What’s unique about our partnership with Sophos is that the combination of our services provides the market with a hybrid-cloud solution that scales up and down as needed, and provides IT managers with ultimate control over their data and the ability to manage encryption keys without additional support," Vineet Jain, chief executive and co-founder of Egnyte, said in a statement.

The latest releases follow last month's introduction of a virtualized version of Sophos' Secure Web Gateway appliance. The gateway software runs on VMware's virtual machine and is available through the vendor's online marketplace.