Figure A - Most frequently detected browser based file sharing apps

File sharing applications are often free or at least cheap, simple to use and very often difficult for an IT department to trace.  This presents a major problem for the enterprise as highlighted in a recent study by Palo Alto Networks which showed that of the 1,636 enterprises surveyed, a staggering 92% of companies had an average of 13 different browser based file sharing applications in use within their network.

With recent announcements such as the DropBox security loophole and the MegaUpload service being taken down, the net is closing in on file sharing applications and services, and rightly so.  Pretty much all businesses need to share files with colleagues, customers and trading partners, but at what cost? Recent studies by the Ponemon Institute found that the average data breach costs UK firms £1.9m prompting the question, “what would be the impact of a data breach on your company”?

Over burdened IT departments throughout the UK are faced with the challenge of enabling their users to carry out day to day tasks, whilst ensuring that their activities don’t compromise the very future of the business they work for.  With legislation surrounding data breaches putting increasing pressure on IT departments and data controllers, the implementation of a secure, managed file transfer solution has never had a higher priority.

When it comes to providing users with a simple, secure file transfer solution, we can help.  Pro2col represents a number of managed file transfer vendors here in the UK and has 10 years experience in finding the right solution for businesses.  Whether its providing cross platform applications for Windows, Mac, Linux or Unix, mobile application integration for iPhone, Android, Blackberry or the iPad or email integration with Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes, we have the solution to fit.

Read the rest of this entry »

“My company still relies heavily on FTP.  I know we should be using something more secure, but I don’t know where to begin.”

Sound familiar?

The easy answer is that you should migrate away from antiquated FTP software because it could be putting your company’s data at risk – Unsecured data is obviously an enormous liability.  Not only does FTP pose a real security threat, but it also lacks many of the management and enforcement capabilities that modern Managed File Transfer solutions offer. Read the rest of this entry »

Cloud Based MFT

Everybody is talking about the cloud; its today’s hot topic with more and more organisations considering a cloud-base (hosted) solution as an alternative to their current on-premise solution.  The shift to cloud based computing is gathering pace and consequently this is an area we’ve been looking at quite closely.

So, is Cloud based Managed File Transfer for me and what are the biggest drivers behind this trend? Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re considering implementing a managed file transfer solution during 2011 then you’re in luck.  Pro2col has been lobbying Ipswitch’s marketing team to provide a web cast specifically for the UK marketplace to address the considerations that should be taken into account when planning the implementation of a managed file transfer solution.

We’re very pleased to announce that Jonathan Lampe, Vice President of Product Management at Ipswitch File Transfer will be hosting a webinar titled, “Learn how and why MFT should fit into your IT structure, as well as insights into top security, compliance and data breach concerns.”  Jonathan will also be discussing; Read the rest of this entry »

Biscom’s recent focus on the legal sector has really paid dividends having announced that the number of Biscom Delivery Server licenses sold into the legal sector passes 5000 seats.  It seems that the legal marketplace has very much embraced BDS as a solution that understands the data exchange needs of law firms.  This coupled with the integration options with iManage amongst other legal applications make BDS a stand out winner.

Recent customer wins in the legal sector include Latham and Watkins, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, McKenna, Long & Aldrich and Reimer & Braunstein to name a few.

If you’re a UK based legal firm or corporate legal department and would like to take a look at Biscom Delivery Server for your secure file exchange requirements, please contact Ailsa Gibbs our BDS specialist at Pro2col today on 0333 123 1240.

For further information about Biscom Delivery Server visit www.biscomdeliveryserver.com

Nathan Ouellette, an author at SC Magazine produced a great review of Biscom’s secure file transfer software, Biscom Delivery Server 4. Installed using a VMware image, the reviewer rated the product based upon 6 key elements including Features, Ease of Use, Performance, Documentation, Support and Value for Money. Emerging with an overall rating of 5 stars – it was clear that BDS was found to be easy to deploy, easy to use, and it gets the job done when it comes to transferring sensitive data securely and simply. The numerous advantages such as multi-platform (Windows and Linux supported, and VM), Outlook plug-in, checkpoint restart, no file size limits, strongest back end encryption (AES 256-bit), extremely granular tracking and reporting, Web services SDK, and it’s simple, intuitive web interface means Biscom Delivery Server is one of the most comprehensive ad hoc file transfer solutions in the marketplace.

You can read the full SC Magazine Biscom Delivery Server review here or, for more information regarding the product please visit the Biscom Delivery Server product page on our website or contact Pro2col on 0333 123 1240.

Take a look at the new cash club program Ipswitch are running over the next couple of months…

The 2010 Ipswitch Cash Club program makes the decision to purchase any WS_FTP Server solution much easier by offering you cashback on every purchase!

If you make a qualifying purchase from November 1-30, 2010, you will receive 15% of your total purchase in Amazon.com gift cards.

• But the clock is ticking…
• Purchases made from November 1-30, 2010 will receive 15% of the total purchase in Amazon.com gift cards.
• Purchases made from December 1-31, 2010 will receive 10% of the total purchase in Amazon.com gift cards.

Beat the clock! If you were already considering WS_FTP Professional multi-packs, WS_FTP Server, or one of the powerful WS_FTP Server modules, act now to get the most cash back.

You can get in contact with the team at Pro2col on 0333 123 1240 to find out more.

The PCI Security Standards Council have just released version 2.0 of PCI-DSS, the Data Security Standard enforced upon all merchants that accept any form of card payments, designed to secure and protect cardholder details.  Although introducing only minor alterations, the main intention of the amendment is to provide greater clarity and flexibility for small merchants, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the requirements that must be satisfied under PCI DSS and making them easier to implement and abide by.

From a long term perspective, the amendments made are designed to help merchants manage evolving risks and data security threats whilst maintaining alignment with industry best practices.  Taking a higher level perspective, the main changes cover:

• Reinforcement of the need to conduct thorough scoping exercises, so that merchants can identify exactly where their cardholder data resides in the business.
• The need for more effective log management of credit card data within the business.
• Allowance for organisations to adopt a more risk based approach when prioritising vulnerabilities, taking into account their specific circumstances.
• The acceptance of unique business environments and accommodation of their specific needs.

More specifically Jonathan Lampe, VP of Product Management at Ipswitch File Transfer and representative of the PCI Security Council has identified the 5 key changes that will directly effect the transfer of sensitive credit card data:

• Explicit recognition of SFTP  as a secure protocol.
• Audit of virtual machine infrastructure and virtualisation hypervisors will be brought within the scope of PCI DSS.
• Rotation requirements for the purposes of key management will be “based on industry best practices and guidelines” rather than an annual stipulation.
• Identity and authentication requirements for users, “non-consumers” and administrators will be split further.
• More specific requirements will be implemented around the auditability and security of timekeeping, especially as recorded in audit logs.  (Coordinated and reliable timestamps are helpful during civil and criminal investigations as well as internal forensics investigations.)

A further step taken by the PCI council to help small merchants achieve the latest 2.0 PCI-DSS changes is the introduction of a small microsite.  The implementation life-cycle the of PCI Council’s standards will be extended from the current 2 years to 3 years to give merchants plenty of time to make the necessary changes.  The new 2.0 standard will be effective from 1st January 2011, however validation against the previous 1.2.1 standard will be allowed until 31st December 2011.

For more information regarding PCI DSS compliance and how this can be achieve in terms of secure file transfer, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Pro2col on 0333 123 1240.

Recent reports have highlighted that hospitals and physicians in the US have been given a deadline of 2015, to convert all health records into digital form and then, to deploy the accompanying technology to handle these digital assets.  Considering only about a quarter of the US population’s health records are digitally stored – this is a bit of a tall order!

Makes you wonder whether, no lets rephrase that, WHEN the UK will follow in their footsteps.  For those organisations operating in the health sector, it may be wise to start reviewing the security and efficiency of you’re file transfer systems now, especially when you take into account the increased ICO powers of enforcement due to come into effect on 6th April 2010.  If a similar mandate were to come into force in the UK, in order to avoid possible fines of up to £500,000 organisations would need ensure that sensitive client files were secured when being transported between locations.

If your a health care organisation and you want to review or evaluate your large file transfer processes, please get in touch with the team at Pro2col on 0333 123 1240.  We offer a comprehensive range of secure file transfer solutions and we’re always happy to help.