Green Light for Data Protection

CIOs and IT managers try that their confidential data is not leaked. However,
with increased usage of hard disk drives, pen drives, MP3 players, and other
storage devices, system administrators need to keep a vigil on the heightened
usage of such storage devices at work.

Large enterprises however, have gone a step ahead and formulated corporate
policies in place, wherein employees need to adhere to the guidelines; and
submit or surrender their storage devices, personal laptops, or even a mobile
phone before entering the workplace. The aim is to keep a check that employees
in no way carry or duplicate data, whether confidential or not.

However, the question to be pondered upon is how much tracking actually
happens in small and medium businesses? What about companies that have fifty to
hundred employees? How would SMBs ensure their data protection?

Green Alert!

A classic example for this could be CygNET Systemss software called the USB
CopyNotify!, a product launched by the company in 2007, that provides data
protection, and at the same time keeping energy conservation in mind. So it is a
product that not only ensure data protection, but also focuses on green IT.

According to Zarir M Karbhari, managing director, CygNET Systems and chief
architect of USB CopyNotify!, "The software product that we have is not only a
data protection software, but also contributes to green IT significantly." The
software prevents possible data leaks in the office network, and the system from
which data leakage happens can be tracked, by sending the alert to the
administrator. The software can also track which data is being leaked. Add to it
another advantage. On the green side, the USB CopyNotify! software alerts users
of idle computers, which in turn prompts them to switch them off.The product
that runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, and Vista is currently
being tested on Windows 7 operating platform as well. This product is more
suitable for the so called green small business owners who can detect
unauthorized individuals attempting to copy private information from computers
on to the office network and save energy simultaneously. A key feature of the
software is that it also logs all data copy operations on the USB drives as well
as the shut down or uninstall of the USB CopyNotify! program itself. Alerts are
also extended for usage of other USB removable storage devices such as mobile
phones, digital cameras, and MP3 player.

Says Karbhari, "We have over fifty clients worldwide, and recently even the
Indian Army have just confirmed an order with us for a product for one of their
IT departments. We also have an average selling of two to three licenses a day.
Our plan is also to launch the next version where we could alert users of idle
printers as well." So CygNET is now going beyond even SMBs.

There are different green data protection software versions available
worldwide.

However, it is believed that the CopyNotify! software is the only made in
India product that gives a double advantage of protecting data and addressing
energy conservation.

PC Suraj

surajp@cybermedia.co.in