Dell Integrates Data Protection And Encryption For Windows

Dell announced its Data Protection/Encryption software to protect files on endpoint devices against data breaches.

Designed to simplify endpoint encryption, Data Protection/Encryption protects laptops, desktops and external media, in case of loss or theft, said Dell. The software will be installed on its Latitude notebooks, OptiPlex desktops and Precision mobile and desktop workstations from the factory “in the coming weeks”, according to David Konetski from the Office of the CTO at Dell Business Client, but he declined to provide eWEEK with a specific date.

Criteria-based encryption

The software uses file-level encryption to secure the device against data breaches. Instead of just encrypting the partition at once, or every single file automatically, Data Protection/Encryption encrypts only files that meet the administrator-defined criteria. The options can be based on the end-user profile, data sensitivity, and the organisation’s compliance needs, Dell said.

The software was co-developed by Dell with mobile security company Credant Technologies, said Konetski. With Credant’s cryptography algorithm at the base, Dell developers added “an enhanced user interface, single management console and pre-set compliance templates,” he said.

Konetski called Data Protection/Encryption a “foundational” product and additional security functionality specific to Dell are planned for future releases.

“Public exposure of private and highly sensitive data continues to occur in organisations both large and small,” said Eric Ouellet, vice president of Secure Business Enablement at Gartner. “Managed endpoint encryption solutions that are flexible and adaptable to the demands of mobile users help minimise risks and are an important part of best practice frameworks.”

The cost of data breaches is increasing in both the private and public sector, according to a report by the Ponemon Institute earlier this year. The organisational cost of a data breach can be up to $6.75 million per incident, said Dell.

A Global Fraud Report issued in October found that electronic and information theft accounted for 27.3 percent of fraud-related losses, with businesses losing almost $1.7 million per billion dollars in sales worldwide.

Since Data Protection/Encryption is currently available for Microsoft Windows 7, XP, and Vista only. Dell is offering an optional “integration” with Credant to secure and encrypt other platforms. The optional software extends the protection to include Mac OS X, Windows Mobile, Symbian smartphones, Palm OS devices, and iPhones.

IT managers have access to Data Protection/Encryption’s centralised management tools to detect endpoint devices within the organisation that need encryption and to enforce encryption policies. The reporting tools let managers see that endpoints are protected regardless of user, device or location. The reports can be used for audit purposes to meet regulatory compliance requirements such as for PCI DSS and HIPAA, said Dell.

The encryption application comes with preset policy templates that let managers define encryption rules for portable USB drives, internal and external drives including eSATA, 1394, and USB, optical drives such as CDs, and Secure Digital cards, said Dell.

There are some restrictions in order to encrypt data on optical storage such as CDs, said Dell. For Windows XP systems, Data Protection/Encryption requires Nero’s InCD software, Vista systems require Vista Live File System to be activated and Windows 7 needs native burning mode support.

Dell Data Protection/Encryption is also available through volume licensing, Dell said. The optional integration with Credant Technologies for non-Windows systems is also available through Dell.