Network Utilities ships New Version of Proxy Remote Control Software
Network Utilities (Systems) Ltd, a leading provider of network access security solutions, today announced UK availability of Proxy (TM) v5.0, a powerful new version of the remote control software that significantly enhances security and administration of remote control, help-desk support and streamlines access to the organisation from remote locations.
The introduction of powerful new functions in ProxyT v5.0 are a result of the product’s new Gateway component, which make it significantly faster and easier for help-desk professionals to support remote desktops, and provide the centralised manageability and security valued by IT staff.
“We looked to Proxy v5.0 specifically for the Proxy Gateway,” said Daniel Keller, information management, Wide Area Networking Group at Sony. “We have outside vendors who work with us to help manage our sales outlets and want to control the access they have to the cash systems. The Proxy Gateway enables us to easily set permissions and limit who can see which machines depending on their access rights. It’s the right tool for the right job.”
The new Proxy Gateway – which authorises and configures remote control connections on the network – lets IT staff set up and enforce a centralised security policy that fully governs how remote control is used on their local or wide-area network. It provides the following major benefits to enterprises:
Complete control over how remote control is used on the network – Remote control access, because it happens from PC-to-PC, may not fall entirely within the purview of IT staff, potentially causing security vulnerabilities or management problems on the network. Now, Proxy Gateway brings remote control access fully under the control of IT staff, eliminating security vulnerabilities. It provides IT staff with the tools that they need to centrally configure who can use remote control (on a user or group basis), which machines they can access and which users are allowed to use various functions in the product – including the remote control, file transfer (read and/or write), remote printing, and clipboard transfer (read and/or write) features. These policies govern access to PCs down the hall, or across the country. Enterprises will have full control of remote control usage on their LAN/WAN, with the flexibility to set up the access policy that makes sense for their organisation. For the strongest security, IT staff can prohibit peer-to-peer access and enforce all security policies through the Gateway; they can also choose to mix Gateway-based and peer-to-peer access for more flexible access (but with less control). Proxy v5.0 provides the control IT staff need.
Fast, simple access to all PCs – A major challenge with many peer-to-peer remote control solutions is actually finding the remote PC to be controlled in the interface. Proxy Gateway provides a straightforward, simple view of all Host PCs, displaying all PCs at the click of a button. It makes it possible to compartmentalise them logically in the interface (for example, by department or floor), for the fastest access. Host PCs, regardless of platform or location, are always just a single click away, providing streamlined access and a uniform experience.
Secure remote control access from outside the company (no VPN required) – For security reasons, remote control access from users located outside the organisation has traditionally been not allowed, or allowed only once a VPN connection has been established. Now, IT staff can set up Proxy Gateway outside the enterprise’s firewall, in a so-called network DMZ, to permit safe, fully-protected remote control access to the organization, with full access to privately-addressed Hosts. Proxy Gateway enforces access control and security, relieving VPN congestion and significantly simplifying the user’s experience.
Audit log of all remote control activity, for security and compliance – Traditional peer-to-peer remote control software usually does not offer centralised logging, making it hard to troubleshoot problems and track usage. Proxy Gateway generates the audit trail you need for security, diagnostics, and network troubleshooting, and for organisations that are governed by regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA provides the required audit trails of who has access to and sees what information.
Michele Lewington, managing director of Network Utilities, pointed out that “Proxy Gateway is an innovative solution that gives enterprises the level of control and accounting they need to keep their networks secure, and to document compliance – allowing them to confidently deploy remote control enterprise-wide.”
About Network Utilities
Network Utilities is a privately owned company, formed in 1989 to focus on the demand for new and innovative network administration and communications tools. This subsequently provided a sound basis for strategic alliances with developers of similar product lines requiring a UK presence and resulted in Network Utilities forging partnership arrangements with several international software manufacturers. Since 1992 Network Utilities has been committed to providing and supporting a ‘best of breed’ range of products for the management and security of the enterprise network and its remote workers. The extended portfolio addresses Internet and wireless LAN security. Network Utilities (Systems) Ltd is headquartered at Liberty House, 516 Walton Road, West Molesey, Surrey, KT8 2QF, UK, Tel: +44 (0) 20 8783 3800. For more information about the company, please visit the Network Utilities web site at http://www.netutils.com.
About Funk Software
Funk Software is a leading provider of network access security solutions for networks of any size, from enterprise to operator, wired or wireless. The company’s family of RADIUS/AAA and WLAN security products allow an organisation to enforce a uniform security policy across all network access methods, including WLAN, remote/VPN, dial, and identity-based (wired 802.1X) – with the performance and reliability to handle any traffic load, and with full support for any network infrastructure. Funk Software’s customers include many of the world’s largest corporations, institutions, telecommunications carriers, and Internet service providers (ISPs); its products are licensed or resold by numerous leading manufacturers of Internet hardware and software. Founded in 1982, Funk Software is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.