More and more companies are allowing their employees to work remotely to protect their health and support government measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. They are now realizing the risks remote work poses to data protection and compliance with data protection legislation.
Having all of an organization’s employees working remotely means an unprecedented amount of sensitive data will be leaving company premises. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can diminish the risks of insecure WiFi networks and ensure that company network security policies are still applied remotely. However, data is still stored locally on endpoints making it vulnerable to theft and loss.
This is where Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions like Endpoint Protector come into play. By applying policies on the endpoint, they protect sensitive data whether a computer is connected to the company network or outside it and ensure that compliance efforts with legislation such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) carry on uninterrupted.
Let’s have a look at some of the key features that make Endpoint Protector the ideal tool for Data Loss Prevention and compliance during these times of remote work:
Easy Deployment and Use
When it comes to DLP solutions, there is a prevailing misconception that their implementation is a long and grueling several month-long process. Companies that did not have a DLP solution in place at the time remote work plans were adopted, may, therefore, be reluctant to turn to them at this time of crisis. Luckily, this is only a myth.
Endpoint Protector was built with flexibility and fast setup in mind, allowing companies to start protecting their data in record time. In fact, it can be deployed and be up and running in thirty minutes, sometimes less. Offering a multitude of deployment options, from classic hardware appliances to the latest Cloud Services, businesses can easily choose the best method suitable to their present needs.
Endpoint Protector is also a user-centric product: it was developed to ensure a short learning curve and allow even non-specialized personnel to easily understand and use it. This means that no extensive training is needed for staff to start effectively using it.
A Truly Cross-platform Solution
Nowadays, many companies operate a cross-platform mixed environment, meaning that employees’ computers are running on not only the most popular operating system, Windows, but also macOS and, depending on the sector, Linux as well. This is often problematic when choosing data protection software as many focus on one operating system and either provide no alternative for other OS or offer stripped-down versions of their product for them.
Endpoint Protector has been a cross-platform solution since it was first developed and has earned a reputation as the most trusted DLP solution for macOS on the market. By offering feature parity for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Endpoint Protector ensures that organizations get the same level of protection for a computer regardless of the operating system they’re running on. All endpoints, no matter their OS, can also be monitored from a single dashboard, making the management of policies a breeze.
Outside Network and Outside Hours Policies
Endpoint Protector offers two types of policies that are especially relevant to remote work: Outside Network and Outside Hours policies which allow companies to set different monitoring and control policies when a computer is taken outside the company network or used outside of regular working hours. These settings can be applied globally, to all computers or to specific users or groups. By applying them, organizations can strengthen the protection of sensitive data when employees work from home.
Sensitive Data is Protected Offline
Endpoint Protector policies remain active whether a company computer is online or offline, which means sensitive data is controlled and monitored at all times and logging continues as normal. The data is stored locally and when a connection is reestablished, logs are automatically sent back to the server.
Seamless Connection over the Internet
The Endpoint Protector client installed on endpoints can communicate with the solution’s server through a simple internet connection. This can easily be done through a change in settings, allowing companies to take advantage of real-time reporting for remote computers and users.
Offline Temporary Passwords
One of the problems companies sometimes face with DLP tools is that their policies cannot be easily adjusted to an unexpected situation. Endpoint Protector strives to offer customers a high level of flexibility so they efficiently deal with any surprises that come along the way.
Offline Temporary Passwords allow users to contact the Endpoint Protector administrator and request a password that allows a specific device to connect to a computer for anything from 30 minutes to 30 days. These are especially useful in the context of remote work when employees do not have access to the same devices that they do in the office. Therefore they may need to improvise on the spot and connect personal or borrowed devices to their work computers to perform their duties.
Staying Compliant While Working Remotely
Endpoint Protector offers predefined policies for data protection legislation such as GDPR. PCI DSS and HIPAA which aim to support companies’ compliance efforts. These policies continue to be active even when an endpoint is taken out of the security of office premises and whether it remains connected to the internet or not.
Ongoing detailed logs of user activity in regards to sensitive data also help support compliance efforts with data protection legislation. They allow organizations to identify patterns in policy violations and users that may need to be corrected in their security practices.
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