How Websense solutions can provide essential information protection in the Web 2.0 World

"For years the security industry built effective defences from security threats using technologies including firewalls, anti virus software and intrusion prevention systems. However, the majority of security threats have now moved to the Web, blended attacks have evolved and attackers' techniques have become increasingly sophisticated. Today's attacks are targeted and stealthy - aimed at stealing specific data instead of taking down an organisation's infrastructure. Traditional security measures are no longer enough.

Web 2.0 has not only changed the threat landscape, it's altered how companies use the Internet. It's not just social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, but also more traditional sites such as the BBC and business applications such as Salesforce.com. Malware can appear on trusted sites with good reputations just as easily as on other sites. Employees are creating content and, in moments, sharing it with thousands of others. Content on these sites is dynamic so it flies under the radar of legacy security systems. To embrace Web 2.0 at work, business needs new ways of protecting essential information.

THE INSIDER THREAT

The insider threat is also real. Data is lost due to broken business processes and employees trying to do the right thing but circumventing the protected network, such as sending customer information to their home Webmail address to complete an outstanding project. CIOs invest heavily in business systems and processes to make information (often confidential) available to authorised employees and partners. While these investments enable business to grow, they also pose significant risks to data loss and, by association, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and brand and reputation.

Despite the exposure to security risks, businesses understand that shutting off Internet access is no longer a viable solution, as organisations need to maximise the new range of dynamic and interactive Web services. In order to allow the safe and productive use of new Web 2.0 technologies while protecting essential information, businesses need to deploy technologies that provide real-time analysis and reputation management of the Web.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

Technology that sets and enforces policy settings for Web and data use, combined with contextual understanding of data, is also a must. Knowing who is sending information, what it is, where it is going and how it is getting there is essential to defining if data is being used correctly or not.

By bringing together process and technology, organisations can be more secure as well as harness the benefits of the Web 2.0 world. Websense security solutions provide complete visibility and control over who may use Web, email or information resources; what information must be protected; how information can be exchanged; and where users and information can go on the Internet. This keeps employees productive on any network, anytime and anywhere, ensuring business continuity while minimising the risks and without the need for an army of IT administrators."

FIND OUT MORE

Click here to watch a video demo of Websense Web Security.

For further information and pricing, contact your Phoenix Account Manager on 0845 265 1265 or email info@phoenixs.co.uk

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What exactly is Web 2.0?

Primarily this refers to Web sites that allow user-generated content to be uploaded without any kind of 'editorial' control. Web site owners allow virtually anyone - friend or foe - to post content to their site, usually for entertainment or informational purposes. While the vast majority of the content is harmless (in terms of security risk), some can be malicious in nature and therefore pose a security risk to any user who goes to the Web site.