DeviceLock adds Apple and BlackBerry support

DeviceLock can add a security layer to handset synchronisations

Endpoint data security firm DeviceLock has released a new version of its software for protecting local synchronisations, adding support for Apple and BlackBerry handsets.

DeviceLock 6.4.1 can be used to add a security layer to handset synchronisations, including the ability to recognise when a device is connected or being accessed.

The new iPhone and BlackBerry protection is highly granular and enterprises can use the system to create and enforce permissions for particular users down to a finite level.

"There are many legitimate reasons for an employee to connect a smartphone to their office PC and run a local synchronisation for data transfer," said Ashot Oganesyan, chief technology officer and founder of DeviceLock.

"However, anyone with an illegitimate purpose in mind, like data theft, knows that such transfers completely bypass the corporate network and cannot be controlled by network-based security solutions."

Oganesyan explained that an "all-or-nothing approach", when all smartphones are either allowed or prohibited to synchronise locally with a particular computer, is too risky.

"The 'all' setting risks security, the 'none' risks productivity. You need a means of defining and enforcing permissions on a more flexible, granular basis, " he said.

"Our customers already count on DeviceLock for permissions-based management of removable storage devices, so it's a natural extension to cover local syncs by smartphone platforms.

"With DeviceLock in place, organisations can impose a 'least privilege' mobile device policy that limits data exchanges to specific smartphones and to the types of data required for an employee to carry out their business duties."

Typical uses would include the ability to block the synchronisation of files, emails, email attachments and accounts, contacts, tasks, notes, calendar items and bookmarks, while other security features block the use of malware such as key loggers.

DeviceLock also covers Windows Mobile and Palm handsets.