London, UK – 19th May, Infosecurity Adviser, Infosecurity Europe’s online community for the information security industry, has published a revealing behind-the-scenes report on the University of Bedfordshire's new digital security and forensics laboratory. 

According to Mike Barwise, contributor on Infosecurity Adviser, “as law enforcement gets to grips with electronic crime, digital forensics has become an integral part of corporate incident management.  Despite this, many prosecutions are still thwarted by inappropriate evidence handling on the part of inexperienced front line response teams. That's why I feel the new facility at the University of Bedford has so much to offer in training up a new echelon of qualified entrants to the profession," he added.

Read more: Infosecurity Adviser applauds forensics lab training facilities at key UK university

Safer, smarter, simpler Worry-Free™ Business Security version 6.0 is now enhanced with new features powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™.

Marlow, 19th May2009 – Building upon the “Worry-Free” promise it made five years ago to small businesses with little or no IT support, Trend Micro is introducing the latest version of Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security, now reinforced with unmatched new features that are powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network. This next-generation security infrastructure provides a unique approach to blocking viruses, spyware, spam, and Web threats before they reach business networks.

The Smart Protection Network is at the core of both previous and new technologies integrated with Worry-Free Business Security. With its underpinnings of automatic Web Threat Protection, all-in-one, integrated defense against a variety of threats, and zero administration, Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security 6.0 has “smart” new features that deliver a smarter and more effective approach than conventional antivirus:

NEW URL Filtering, unique to Trend Micro, helps maintain business productivity and adds another layer of protection against Web threats by proactively blocking inappropriate, risky or non-business related Web sites. Users can configure filter strength, rules, and business/leisure hours.

NEW Smart Protection Network-Powered Smart Scan is a breakthrough approach that provides more effective protection than conventional antivirus. Smart Scan scans faster and updates quicker to detect and remove the increasing number of threats, while minimising the performance impact to protected computers.

By leveraging Smart Protection Network file reputation technologies, Smart Scan stops threats by storing the majority of detection technologies (up to 80 percent compared with conventional scanning) on the local security server and accessed as needed. By keeping these technologies off of local PCs and servers, this approach extends the life of hardware and, over time, prevents the slow-down of computers.

NEW Smart Protection Network-Powered Smart Feedback, another technology unique to Trend Micro, simply and automatically feeds back security-related issues and events to Trend Micro where it is quickly analysed, and updates are made to rapidly protect all customers. Smart feedback identifies new threats faster to protect users rapidly. Faster identification and response to new threats means faster protection.

ENHANCED Version of Worry-Free™ Remote Manager, Designed for Channel Partners
Just another part of Trend Micro’s portfolio of channel-friendly products and solutions, this enhanced version of Worry-Free Remote Manager provides integrated installation with Worry-Free Business Security 6.0. Worry-Free Remote Manager also supports Trend Micro ™ InterScan Messaging Hosted Security for stopping spam and other email threats before they reach the network. It allows partners to easily add customers to their console during their initial installation of Worry-Free Business Security. Trend Micro is currently the only security vendor that offers this type of critical tool free of charge to eligible channel solution partners.

“Over the years, we have learned that we can rely on Trend Micro to continually enhance the all-in-one solution, and our business benefits with the latest technologies and performance improvements. We stick with Trend Micro every year because it works!” said Bill Buck, the aerospace engineer that was given responsibility for security at AeroTech Research.

“Small businesses face the same daunting security challenges associated with protecting crucial data from online threats. However they normally don't have the staff or other resources required to manage complicated security suites,” said Charles Kolodgy, research director of Security Products at IDC. "For security to be effective within a small business environment it needs to be routine, automatic, easy, and painless. Trend Micro has endeavored to achieve those goals with the latest version of Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security.”

Other new features in Worry-Free Business Security 6.0 include:

NEW USB Device Threat Prevention automatically protects PCs and servers from infected USB devices, preventing threats from automatically executing and spreading across business networks.  Threats coming from removable media devices such as USB sticks are on the rise, meaning small businesses cannot afford to ignore this potential source of infections.

NEWLY Enhanced Security Dashboard reinforces Trend Micro’s goal of zero-administration solutions for its small business customers. It provides easy, at-a-glance status checking. Users can sort by dashboard traffic lights to quickly understand security status, which minimises time and energy spent on analysing computers status.

“If small businesses think increasing protection against threats means decreasing computer performance over time, they need to think again,” said Steve Quane, general manager of Trend Micro’s SMB business unit. “Worry-Free Business Security, with features powered by the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, keeps constantly updated, scans faster while minimizing impact to PCs, and requires minimal user interaction. Trend Micro allows businesses to stop worrying about security so they can focus on their business.” 

 

Read more: Trend Micro Boosts Worry-Free Security

 

Survey shows cybercrime adds unnecessary burden on small business during tough economic times   19th May 2009, Marlow, UK - A new survey into British small business attitudes today reveals that alongside worries of bankruptcy (39%) and strong competition (21%), cybercrime is adding an additional burden and pressure on IT decision makers. The survey commissioned by Trend Micro, a global leader in internet content security, reveals that 20% of UK IT decision makers are concerned about either personal details or confidential company information being stolen.   When asked about electronic crime specifically, one in four respondents (25%) said their business had been disrupted by a virus over the last twelve months, while over one in ten (14%) recognised that company data had gone missing. In addition to data loss, one in ten respondents recorded the theft of mobile devices, such as laptops, mobile phones/ blackberries.   The survey highlights concerns about the ability for small businesses to apply web access policies.  On average, IT decision makers felt happy for their colleagues to spend over half an hour (36 minutes) looking at non-work related websites. While the majority prevent staff from browsing pornographic (72%) and gambling sites (64%) online, the rules around online behaviour seemed more relaxed when concerning the use of social networking sites (39%), online chats (32%) and online shopping (24%).   Reports from TrendLabs, Trend Micro’s global research centre, show that social engineering techniques deployed by cybercriminals thrive in uncertain times and predictions point to a dramatic rise in security breaches through Web2.0 platforms like social networking sites as well as an increase in data-stealing malware, geared towards stealing login credentials and credit card information – details used across online banking and shopping sites.   “The survey suggests that we need to do much more to better inform and help the small business community about the new generation of security threats that are attacking their IT infrastructure and with potentially devastating effects to their reputation and finances”, says James Walker, Product Marketing Manager at Trend Micro. “Our Worry-Free Business Security 6.0 provides an all-in-one defense against a number of threats before they even reach companies’ networks. It is geared specifically to provide these businesses with both support and guidance on how to better protect themselves without adding to their IT anxieties and without obliging them to become an IT security expert.”   Another trend the survey highlights is the increasing willingness amongst small businesses to encourage flexible working as a means of motivating staff at a time when additional financial incentives are proving a challenge to provide. While remote working featured as a more popular incentive (42%) than for example informal working environments, social events or snacks at work, it also raises concerns about the increased risks to both company networks and sensitive company data.   “Small businesses recognise the need to offer staff flexible working arrangements by allowing remote access to data held on company networks. It is therefore extremely important that IT departments adapt their security strategies to cater for new types of threats posing a challenge to security measures already in place”, adds Walker. “Worry-Free Business Security 6.0 features URL filtering at the end-point, which means internet policies can be applied to each device whether in-the-office or working from home. This, coupled with real-time intelligence blocking access to infected websites is a powerful combination.”   While putting into place comprehensive security software with dynamic, real-time updates is crucial, Trend Micro suggests a number of tips on how small businesses can protect their assets, their customer information and, most importantly, their reputation:  

• Ensure that all employees use effective passwords, and when possible, stronger authentication technology. Encourage passwords that are comprised of different upper and lower case letters, numbers and special  characters (such as £$%@) and change them frequently
• Discourage employee downloads from non-trusted sources such as peer-to-peer.
• Protect your network; by ensuring that PCs and laptops are protected by firewalls,  anti-virus software and web threat protection both within the office network as well as when mobile working
• Keep all operating systems and software up-to-date, as without updates, your systems will not be well protected against new threats
• Create and manage back-ups. It is best to store secured copies off-site  and use encryption to protect sensitive records about employees, suppliers and customers
• Maximise encryption. You should protect customer data wherever possible, consider using email encryption.

• Don’t leave sensitive data saved on a handheld or mobile device, in case it is stolen or lost
• Keep in mind that your company will grow, and shop for security solutions that will grow with your business’s pace

Read more: One in five UK small businesses worried about the effects of cybercrime

Secure USB specialist adds anti-malware to combat the growing USB problem
 
5th May 2009 – London, UK – BlockMaster (http://www.GetSafeStick.com), a leading provider of secure removable data devices, today announces the results of an office worker survey that reveals some worrying trends and highlights the overwhelming need for secure USB drives in the workplace.
 
40% of over 100 office workers surveyed by BlockMaster have lost a USB stick at some point, and nearly two-thirds (64%) have left a drive unprotected in a PC, exposed for anyone to potentially access or steal. Meanwhile, ignorance seems to bliss, as nearly a third (30%) of office workers have no idea whether the USB sticks they are leaving around are secure.

Read more: BlockMaster Reveals Secure Sticks Needed to Safeguard Businesses from Slapdash Staff