Bit9 Launches Security TIPS Program

Bit9 Inc., the leading provider of enterprise endpoint security solutions, today launched the Bit9 Security TIPS Program, a series designed to alert enterprises of security risks at the endpoint and to provide advice for proactive remedies. In the first installment, Bit9 is advising enterprises to avoid risks associated with the inadvertent downloading of spyware, malware, and other non-business applications during the upcoming holiday shopping season. More than half of the $15.8 billion in online shopping that occurred during the 2004 holiday shopping season took place from enterprise desktops, as employees capitalized on speedier workplace connections in the workplace to accomplish their shopping goals, according to comScore Media Metrix, which provides industry-leading Internet audience measurement services.

Despite the fact that there are three times more Internet users who have access to the Web at home, the percent of shopping activity at work matches home activity, according to Lisa Strand, director and chief analyst at NetRatings in a recent interview appearing in internetnews.com article. Anticipated figures for 2005 are $26.2 billion in online shopping with 56 percent being conducted from workplace computers, according to DSN Retailingtoday.com, spelling a significant increase in the risk of unwanted software.

"Every time employees access online shopping sites, they increase the odds of new and unknown and potentially unwanted software on their desktops," said Bit9 Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Todd Brennan. "As we head into the holiday shopping season and employees inadvertently expose their desktops and laptops to these potential security threats, it is crucial for IT administrators and managers to adopt a proactive approach to endpoint security."

Dr. Brennan prescribes a three-point plan for dealing with online shopping threats as part of Bit9′s initial Security TIPS program.

1. Dr. Brennan advises developing a policy-driven approach to managing endpoint threats. This should include developing a comprehensive security policy and disseminating it across the enterprise in advance of the holiday season. Often, individuals are unaware of the threat of security breaches at the endpoint, or they simply do not know what to look for. An informative policy and set of basic rules on acceptable user behavior – along with ongoing enforcement – is critical to success.

2. For IT Managers, Dr. Brennan advises shoring up file defenses, to block as much unwanted software as possible, as the most powerful means of protection. Enterprises should not rely heavily on malware signatures, since what is considered bad is constantly changing. It is especially valuable to minimize the window of vulnerability between signature and patch updates. Solutions like Bit9 Parity can afford an enterprise valuable time to react.

3. Dr. Brennan further advises leveraging flexible technology solutions to maximize effectiveness during what is likely to be a season of greater exposure. From a technology standpoint, solutions relying on third-party vendor lists lack flexibility, and can make it difficult to implement endpoint usage policies. Rather, it is preferable to use a solution like Bit9 Parity, which lets the enterprise make those decisions. Enterprises should decide for themselves what is appropriate and approved to run on their infrastructure.

Unlike other endpoint security products that focus on what’s wrong or malicious, Bit9 Parity is the only solution that detects and controls what’s new and unknown–without relying on malware signatures or behavioral patterns. Based on patent-pending technology, this approach offers protection and coverage that today’s other solutions can’t.

About Bit9, Inc.

Bit9 is the first company to solve the problem of unwanted software at the endpoint. As the only solution to detect and stop spyware, malware, and non-business applications on desktops, laptops, and servers, Bit9 gives IT professionals unprecedented, network-wide visibility and control in real time. Bit9 provides the earliest and best possible protection against known and unknown intrusions, including Zero-day attacks. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bit9 is a privately held company.

Bit9, Inc. and Parity are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bit9, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.