Pointsec's trouble-free encryption and authentication solution adds support for removable media

Pointsec's trouble-free encryption and authentication solution adds support for removable media STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 1, 2004 - Pointsec Mobile Technologies, a global leader in enterprise security software for laptop and desktop PCs, PDAs and smartphones, has announced Pointsec Media Encryption, a centrally manageable and easy to use solution for securing removable media, such as removable hard disks, USB Flash memory cards and floppy disks. Using Pointsec Media Encryption, enterprise IT security policies can be upheld, while removable storage devices are used to boost productivity. Building on Pointsec's transparent file encryption tool, available for desktop and laptop PCs, PDAs and smartphones, Pointsec Media Encryption is a new security software solution for removable media. Using Pointsec Media Encryption, enterprises also secures sensitive content stored on removable hard disks, USB Flash memory devices, floppy disks and during e-mail transfer. During the past years, removable storage devices have developed rapidly, both from a technology and a market perspective. For instance, removable hard disks are now available in very small form factors, with capacity for huge amounts of potentially sensitive data. This development calls for businesses and governments to revise security policies, to include conditions for using removable storage media. "We believe it is a mistake to simply dismiss the new generation of removable media, because they involve security risks or that they can be used for illicit purposes," said Peter Larsson, CEO, Pointsec Mobile Technologies. "We like to treat this as a fundamentally sound development, as there are obvious practical advantages with using removable storage devices." The USB Flash memory devices segment is one of the most rapidly growing product areas within the IT industry. According to Gartner Dataquest, sales will more than double until 2008, growing from $1.4 billion in 2004, to $2.9 billion. During the same period, volumes are expected to increase from 45.6 to 98.2 million units. In comparison, Gartner's 2004 forecast for worldwide PC sales is 186.4 million units*. "Users are pushing data out into a growing assortment of unmanaged peripherals. It is essential to protect removable media through encryption, at least equally important to protecting any mobile device," said John Girard, Research Vice President, Gartner Inc. Pointsec's solution provides protection for all stored data, automatically and transparent to the user. It is centrally managed, so that security policy changes can be effected without user intervention. All market-leading encryption algorithms may be used. Encrypted data can be sent via e-mail in self-extracting attachments, giving authorized recipients access to the information without having Pointsec software installed in their systems. "The new generation of compact, removable storage is here to stay," said Ove Söderberg, Business Manager Mobile Solutions with Hewlett-Packard Sverige AB. "This is why customers' IT and security management are now moving to include these devices in their regular usage and security policies. Through Pointsec Media Encryption, they are provided with an excellent tool to implement appropriate security measures, while still being able to use removable storage devices productively." Pointsec Media Encryption has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), fulfilling the latest security requirements from U.S. government agencies. For further information please contact: Peter Larsson, CEO, Pointsec Mobile Technologies tel. +1 708-479-3040, e-mail: peter.larsson@pointsec.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------- Pointsec Mobile Technologies AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Protect Data AB. The company develops and markets access-controlling and encrypting systems for stationary and portable computers, palmtop computers, smartphones, PDAs, etc. Pointsec Mobile Technologies has offices in Chicago and Washington DC in the USA, Cambridge in the United Kingdom, Düsseldorf in Germany and Stockholm, Falun and Sundsvall in Sweden. Visit our web site at: www.pointsec.com. The Protect Data Group offers tailor-made IT security solutions to large companies and organizations. The company focuses on four business areas: digital identities and resource security, network security, anti-virus and content security, and consultancy services for information security. Within these areas, the company offers comprehensive IT security solutions based on aspects such as access control and encryption systems, anti-virus systems, digital sentry services, firewalls, user identification and content control, secure VPN and PKI solutions, digital signatures and systems for secure transactions. Protect Data is the market leader in its business area in the Nordic region and has subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom and the USA. Protect Data is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Visit our web site at: www.protectdata.com. _______________________________ Gartner Dataquest Preliminary Estimates, Joseph Unsworth, April 2004. Data is preliminary and does not include USB flash drives that were used in conjunction with audio players or digital cameras. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/07/01/20040701BIT00080/wkr0001.pdf