Desktop Authority

USB and Port Security Option

Desktop Authority USB and Port Security Option allows organisations to proactively secure proprietary and sensitive data. This solution gives IT the granular ability to prohibit, limit, and monitor the use of removable storage devices before they can negatively impact the enterprise.

Protect Data: Avoid company information such as customer lists, blueprints, passwords, and financial records removed from your network on removable storage devices
Enforce Standards: Allow activity that is “legitimate” in terms of your company standards with granular permission settings (i.e. allow Marketing to use scanners and cameras, but not anyone else)
Audit Activity: Track all files are copied to thumb drives
Stay Compliant: Comply with external regulations or internal policies regarding data removal/storage

The USB and Port Security option provides policy-based lockdown of USB, storage and communication devices. It provides multiple levels of security allowing complete access or denial to certain device types, such as MP3 players, while allowing more granular levels of security, such as Read Only access to a CD-R drive. A complete list of devices can be found below:

Bluetooth Devices
PCMCIA/Cardbus Controllers
CD/DVD Readers/Writers
Palm OS Devices
Firewire Controllers
Parallel Ports
Firewire Storage
PocketPC Devices
Floppy Disks
Removable Storage
Hard Disk Drives
Serial Ports
Infrared Ports
USB Ports
IoMega Storage (Jaz/Zip)
USB Printers
MP3 Players
USB Scanners
Modems
USB Storage
WiFi Devices

Features and Benefits

Integrated in the Desktop Authority Manager

Familiar navigation environment means there is no learning curve for configuring USB and Port Security.

Patented Validation Logic

As with all other configuration elements in Desktop Authority, Validation Logic allows a high level of granular control over which clients are restricted access according to OS, machine class, connection type, OUs, Group memberships, and over 20 other criteria.

Detailed List of Managed Devices

Rather than disallow every device that plugs into a given port on a desktop, the USB and Port Security option manages over 20 different device types.

USB device Whitelist/Blacklist

USB/Port Security has been enhanced to support the ability to allow or deny specific USB devices by their serial numbers. This gives the administrator the granular control of only allowing company issued USB keys for usage throughout the organization. As if that wasn't enough, you can now audit allowed and denied events for assurance that your USB ports are locked down. Also, Desktop Authority can now detect USB scanners and printers and be able to set policies to allow or deny these devices.

Granular Control

Devices can be restricted to be read-only (which would allow a CD-R drive to remain usable as a CD-ROM drive), read-write, full control or complete denial of access.

Centralised Reporting

Turnkey and custom reports on device usage and denials of access by device class, computer or user can be generated and scheduled for delivery via email, increasing security while simplifying management.