Sophos adds file-level encryption to mobile security software

Sophos has added file-level encryption to its mobile security software so that users of Android or Apple iOS devices with Sophos Mobile Control 4.0 can share encrypted files.

IT managers set up the encryption process for the mobile devices through the Sophos management console, according to Marty Ward, vice president of product marketing. This can be organized so that only certain groups of users can share encrypted files.

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In addition to the new file-level encryption in Sophos Mobile Control 4.0, Sophos has also added a way to integrate Web filtering capability and a network-access control mechanism for organizations using the Sophos UTM for gateway security.

"If you have our UTM, there's the ability to check that the mobile phone is compliant," says Ward. Types of compliance checking would include checking to see if a mobile device has been jailbroken or if it's using apps that are not allowed under the company's policy. Mobile devices flagged by the network-access control mechanism can be isolated until remediation is achieved.

Sophos Mobile Control 4.0, which also includes anti-malware protection, costs $33 per user.

Ellen Messmer is senior editor at Network World, an IDG website, where she covers news and technology trends related to information security. Twitter: MessmerE. E-mail: emessmer@nww.com

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