GFI Software the release of the latest version of GFI EndPointSecurity, a solution that helps to control the use of portable storage devices - such as iPods, flash drives, USB sticks, and PDAs - on the network and prevent the leakage or theft of sensitive data. The new version ships with a number of new and improved features including advanced access control that allows the blocking of a range of device classes, as well as blocking files transfers by file extension, by physical port, and by device ID.

    Administrators can also use a device whitelist and blacklist to allow only company-approved devices and block all others. Furthermore, temporary access can be granted to users for a device (or group of devices) on a particular computer for a particular timeframe. The latest version of GFI EndpointSecurity comes with advanced access control functionality and a whitelist/blacklist feature to limit usage of portable devices to those only approved by the company.

    The proliferation of consumer devices such as iPods, USB drivers, smart phones and other portable devices has increased the risk of data leakage and malicious activity on networks. While most companies have anti-virus software, firewalls, email and web content security to protect against external threats, few realize how easy it is for an employee to copy huge amounts of sensitive data onto an iPod or USB stick. There is also a risk of viruses or malware and illegal software being introduced on the network. One way to prevent this from happening is to lock down all ports but this is neither sustainable nor advised.

    GFI EndPointSecurity 4 gives administrators comprehensive control over the use of portable storage devices such as USB sticks, CDs, floppies, smartphones, MP3 players, handhelds, iPods, digital cameras, and so on, to prevent situations that could lead to security breaches, data theft, and viruses and other malware being uploaded to the company's network.

    There are dozens of examples of security breaches due to the negligent or malicious use of endpoint devices in companies. Earlier this year, for example, a former Boeing employee was accused of stealing 320,000 files and leaking them to a newspaper. GFI and other security companies continue to insist how vital it is that a company's IT administrators know exactly what devices are on the network and the threat they pose. Unfortunately, many businesses are unaware of or ignore the threat until something actually happens.

    According to research conducted by eMedia on behalf of GFI Software in the United States, only seven percent of 455 small and medium-sized businesses consider portable storage devices to be the greatest threat while less than 20 percent said they had implemented some endpoint security solution. The key to managing portable device use is to install an endpoint security solution that gives administrators control over what devices are in use, have been used and by whom and in-depth knowledge of what data has been copied.

    "Our main message is that the cost to take the necessary action to manage risk is much less than the costs involved reacting to a particular incident. An endpoint security solution such as GFI's EndPointSecurity product is a must in today's highly networked corporate environment. Version 4 gives administrators even deeper granular control over device usage on the network to reduce the possible repercussions of the unauthorized use of these consumer devices," he added.