Absolute Software Corp. says the new version 6.5 of its Absolute Manage security and management tool extends “market-first” full BYOD capabilities to Mac and Windows computers. The latest iteration also supports Cisco’s Identity Service Engine.
“Now customers can automate BYOD polices for employee-owned computers, along with tablets and smart phones – all from a single console,” the announcement said.
Absolute Manage 6.5 provides enrolment workflows, along with remote and automated security protocols for corporate and employee-owned devices, including smart phones, tablets and laptops. The device-agnostic tool deploys a single enrolment process so employees can access corporate resources.
One trend feeding into the development of the latest iteration of the management tool is the fact that employees are increasingly adding computers to their lists of bring-your-own devices. Absolute references a Forrester Research study that found that 31 per cent of enterprise information workers reported their primary work laptop as a personally-owned device.
The integration with theIdentity Service Engine from Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) increases network security levels. Now, when a computer or mobile device tries to get on the network, its compliance is automatically checked against company policy. Absolute says that this will ensure that all devices on the network are configured appropriately, including Absolute Manage enrolment. If a device is not already enrolled, ISE can redirect it to complete enrolment before allowing access.
With this release, Absolute Manage will support devices that are certified for Knox, the Samsung containerization solution that is native to the company’s hardware and Android OS. Using Knox, IT managers can create a secure workspace on Samsung devices that is managed like a separate device – all data and apps within the container are separated from personal data and apps. Samsung Knox allows employees to move from personal to corporate information and apps while allowing IT managers to apply completely separate policies to the device’s personal space and workspace.
“Many of our customers are receiving requests from employees to bring their personally owned devices to work,” said Errol Olsen, interim CEO at Absolute Software. “But corporate IT doesn’t want to use multiple consoles and products to secure this range of form factors. With this release, Absolute Manage will be the only solution on the market to offer full BYOD capabilities for all devices.”
Absolute Manage 6.5 will be available in June. The software is available in perpetual and subscription-based pricing, starting from $55 MSRP for perpetual licenses.