'Podslurping' and 'Bluesnarfing': the latest...

'Podslurping' and 'Bluesnarfing': the latest IT security threats to corporate UK

- removable and wireless storage media bad news for data security -

Centennial Software, developer of solutions that help organisations manage and secure their networks, is today warning companies to protect their corporate data against two new threats.  'Podslurping' and 'Bluesnarfing' may sound like the latest nerd crazes, but are in fact a serious threat to corporate security - where a removable media device such as an iPod, PDA or Bluetooth-enabled device, is used to steal confidential information from the business.

Thanks to the 'plug and play' functionality in Windows and plethora of Bluetooth-enabled laptops and 'smartphones', data thieves are now finding it easier than ever to remove large volumes of files without arousing any suspicion among staff or employers.

"iPods, PDAs and notebook PCs are now such a common sight in offices that we rarely give them a second glance," says Matt Fisher, Vice President at Centennial Software. "Yet a firewire-connected media player can easily download over 6GB of files from a corporate PC in less than two minutes."
 
Fisher continued: "There have been many high profile data thefts recently, such as the Indian call centre case where a worker sold thousands of UK bank customer records for less than 3 GBP a shot."

"Combating these threats is rising rapidly to the top of CIOs' 'To Do' lists. Controlling access to corporate data over wired and wireless connections is essential to minimise the risks associated with not maintaining a clear boundary between the corporate network and personally-owned multi media devices."

Centennial recently launched DeviceWall version 3.0 to combat the threats posed by the use of removable media devices on the corporate network and the proliferation of wireless connectivity. DeviceWall enables organisations to enforce an effective usage policy that defines which employees are able to access certain device types and through what type of connection and also locks down
Bluetooth ports.

Expert research shows that sales of portable drives are set to increase exponentially over the next five years, with hard disk drive shipments at 15.5% compound and consumer hard disk drives at 37.5%.

According to Centennial, tenders for solutions to podslurping and bluesnarfing have been on the increase for at least the last three months.
 
However, the organisation has warned that many organisations are not taking the correct steps to protect themselves, or are focusing on external security threats, such as worms or DDoS rather than internal threats, which often relate more to intellectual property than to infrastructure and operations.

For those not already in the know, Podslurping is where any form of portable storage device is used to download large quantities of data from a PC.  Bluesnarfing involves one Bluetooth-enabled device being used to seek out and connect to another, without the second device's owner ever knowing.

- Ends -

About Centennial Software / FrontRange Solutions

Centennial Software was acquired by FrontRange Solutions (www.frontrange.com) in April 2008. FrontRange Solutions develops Service Management, IT Infrastructure and Customer Relationship Management solutions that scale with the needs of mid-sized and distributed enterprises. The company – through its FrontRange, HEAT, GoldMine, Enteo and Centennial brands – offers a unique portfolio that has been chosen by more than 150,000 organizations worldwide to help improve the effectiveness and reduce the cost of interacting with external and internal customers.

Part of the FrontRange Solutions Infrastructure Management Group, Centennial Software develops IT Audit & Network inventory, Software Asset Management (SAM) and Endpoint Security Tools Centennial Discovery, License Manager and DeviceWall enable more than 6,000 organizations worldwide to manage their IT assets, license compliance and network security. Learn how full network audit, complete control of software licenses and effective USB security solutions can help drive cost, risk and complexity out of IT operations.

• Contact Us
• Privacy Policy

• Sitemap
• Terms of Use

Sign-up for our newsletters!