In Wake of Postini exit, Proofpoint Offers Cloud Security and Compliance Solution

 Based on Acquisition of Mail Distiller

SUNNYVALE, Calif. –April 9, 2013 – Proofpoint, Inc., (NASDAQ: PFPT), a leader in cloud-based information security and governance, today announced a strategic expansion of Proofpoint’s leading security solutions. Proofpoint Essentials™ is a suite of SaaS security and compliance solutions specifically designed for distribution across MSP’s and dedicated security resellers.

To create this product line, Proofpoint acquired Mail Distiller Limited, a European-based provider of SaaS email security solutions. Later integration of core components of Proofpoint’s protection technology into Mail Distiller’s offering will enable Proofpoint Essentials to combine the security and threat detection capabilities used by the largest and most security conscious organizations with the ease of use, multi-level channel management and modern SaaS architecture required to serve the mid to small enterprise market.

Proofpoint Essentials provides a full set of capabilities required by organizations to protect their email infrastructure, and includes inbound email filtering to block spam and malware, outbound filtering for compliance with company policies, email continuity to enable email service availability, and email archiving. It also features a simple, modern user interface for administrators and end users. The Mail Distiller offering, upon which Proofpoint Essentials is based, was chosen as the Editors’ choice at the 2012 Computing Security Awards, and is used by thousands of customers across the Americas, Australia and Europe.

Founded in 2004, Mail Distiller is based in Northern Ireland and specifically designed its product for channel distribution through multi-level distribution and managed service providers (MSPs). These channel partners were afforded a simple pricing model that has been well-received. Proofpoint will continue the channel-friendly product features and distribution model.

“This new acquisition will enable us to offer the same core technology used by the world’s largest and most successful security conscious companies to a new set of customers served through broad security resellers and MSP partners who are currently experiencing a lot of pain,” said Gary Steele, CEO, Proofpoint, Inc. “We see tremendous value in being able to deliver a superior and scalable solution through the channel to this important customer set.”

 “We’re excited to become part of a company with such leading edge technology and global market presence,” said Colm McGoldrick,vice president, Proofpoint Essentials, who is the former CEO and Founder of Mail Distiller. “We see this as the perfect opportunity to accelerate the market success we’ve already had through a channel distribution strategy.”

Forward-looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding the plans for the availability and features of Proofpoint Essentials and its expected benefits to customers. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) priorities, delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iii) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation, entry of new competitors into the security and compliance markets, and new product and marketing initiatives by Proofpoint competitors; (v) the uncertainty of customer acceptance of emerging technology; (vi) rapid technological and market changes in the threat landscape and cloud computing; (vii) changes to product development timelines; (viii) Proofpoint’s ability to protect its proprietary technology; and (ix) Proofpoint’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value and effect as well as other risks detailed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Proofpoint’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and current reports on Form 8-K that Proofpoint may file from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Proofpoint assumes no obligation to, and do not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint Inc. (NASDAQ:PFPT) is a leading security-as-a-service provider that focuses on cloud-based solutions for threat protection, compliance, archiving & governance and secure communications. Organizations around the world depend on Proofpoint’s expertise, patented technologies and on-demand delivery system to protect against phishing, malware and spam, safeguard privacy, encrypt sensitive information, and archive and govern messages and critical enterprise information. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com.

###

Proofpoint and Proofpoint Essentials are trademarks or registered trademarks of Proofpoint, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

image: source

Advanced persistent threats (APT) are cyber-attacks from a group of cybercriminals who can and will use this method to persistently target a specific body or organization through their IT systems.

APTs are more complex and devious than regular cyber-attacks. They use social engineering techniques to penetrate a business and release customized malware that can be stored secretly in the system for months.

These Cybercriminals that specialize in APTs can remotely steal your valuable information (credit card data, intellectual property, government secrets). This can potentially damage an organization’s competitive advantage or even put employees’ and customers’ personal security at risk.

“Research from the Ponemon Institute revealed that 67% of organizations admit that their current security systems are insufficient in preventing targeted attacks.”

How do APTs work?

1. APTs involve planting remote administration software into its target’s network. This creates network backdoors and tunnels which allow stealth access to the infrastructure.
2. Then the cybercriminals use password cracking to acquire administrator privileges over the target’s computer.
3. The APT collects information on the surrounding infrastructure.
4. The next stage of the attack is to expand control to other workstations, servers and infrastructure elements for data harvesting.
5. APTs try to ensure continued control over the access channels and the credentials that were acquired
6.  Finally the cybercriminals behind the APTs extract stolen data from the target’s network. 

Consequences of APTs

Modern malware can easily move around many existing security systems. Security measures such as anti-virus and firewalls cannot fully protect a business from advanced persistent threats. In order to be completely secure, an organization needs to have a full suite of security services.

 Even if you do not have a large business, your data could still be a prime target for cyber criminals. With the same techniques as above, lower-level cyber criminals can focus on stealing data or private information from smaller organizations.

“Managing vulnerabilities and threats tops the list of IT security priorities for security decision-makers with 90% of enterprises saying it is a high or critical priority.” ~ Forrester Consulting.

Learn more about protecting your business from cybercrime.

image 1: Source

image 2: Source

Red nose day on Friday 15^th March was absolutely geektastic at the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) this year. We had the best geek competition, Segway races, and even a couple of comedians!

The Maildistiller team had a great time raising money and helping to organise the “fun for funds” day with NISP. Creating the geek packs and getting everyone excited for the science park’s Comic relief event was great craic.

We encouraged the science park tenants to dress up and “get their geek on” for comic relief. And also gave out “geek packs” and how to find your inner geek tips to help everyone get in the spirit.

We chose Sync NI’s Emma to judge the ‘Best Dressed Geek’ competition. The first prize winner of an Amazon Kindle Fire was NISP’s Roberta and for the runner up, Sylvia from Kana, received an iTunes vouchers. 

The Red Nose Day Line-up

• We started the day with a relaxing coffee and cookies morning in the iconic Pump-House building beside the Titanic Dock. The tenants and other local companies were able to do some networking and catch up.

• Then over lunch time, Segway racing took place in the Titanic Docks where our very own Danielle stepped up to represent the Maildistiller team.

• The ‘Kana Pub Kwiz’ was in full swing in the afternoon with sixteen companies joining in the fun and competing for first place (and last place) trophies. This was followed by a raffle and an auction, where Maildistiller’s Josh came so close to getting a signed Spurs top. 

• After a day of geektastic fun, everyone was invited to enjoy an evening of drinks, games and a few hours of comedy entertainment. The tenants were able to show support for comic relief by watching local comedy talent from George Firehorse and Adam Laughlin.

We raised around £2,000 from all the events and this money will go towards transforming the lives of countless people, both in the UK and across Africa.

We really appreciate all the support of everyone that took part and donated on Red Nose Day. Thank you to the Northern Ireland Science Park tenants for supporting the cause and helping us to put on an amazing day for charity!

Check out our Facebook page to see more pictures of our “Fun for Funds” day!

Image 1: source 

It has come to light that the Reserve Bank of Australia (the country’s central bank) has frequently been attacked by hackers. Despite the many pursuits to successfully breach the organization’s data, the bank’s security system has withstood all malware and ensured data protection.

According to the bank, they had “on occasion been the target of cyber-attacks.” The report came from an Australian newspaper which told its reader that there had been a number of recorded hacking cases on the RBA beginning in 2011.

The Email Attack

One of the cyber-attacks involved an email containing malware which was sent to members of staff and opened by several people. The Australian Financial Review confirmed that the email was entitled “Strategic Planning FY2012.”

Attached to the message was a malware application, which, when opened, was able to bypass some of the bank’s security operations, but luckily did not manage to spread through the rest of the computer system.

Statement from Bank

The RBA has stated that “The bank has comprehensive security arrangements in place which have isolated these attacks and ensured that viruses have not been spread across the Bank’s network or systems.” It has been confirmed that none of the bank’s data was lost or misused and none of their IT systems were damaged.

The Hackers?

The bank has not commented on any of the suspicions that the hack attacks originated from china, although the country has been blamed for several other recent cyber-attacks. This has been denied by the Chinese Government.

How to prevent the risk of a cyber attack on your business:

1. Implement anti-virus protection and conduct regular scans to maintain system security
2. Educate Employees on Safe Passwords
3. Understand and educate employees on the 6 signs of a malicious email
4. Draw up an internet security policy for employees to manage threats
5. Take preventative measures against cybercrime and install a reliable online security system.

image: source

In the Healthcare industry, communicating sensitive and personal data on a day to day basis is a key issue. Organizations are required to adhere to many confidentiality regulations which control the storage and transmission of sensitive information via email.

But of course the electronic transfer of data poses risks to the protection of patient records, making email security an essential requirement for any healthcare group.

Problems with Email for a Healthcare Organization

These organizations must ensure that this information (medical records, patient social security numbers and credit card numbers) remains strictly confidential and is securely protected at all times.

Unfortunately with email and accessing the internet brings the added threats from external parties, misuse of the internet by employees or from poor management of internal IT security processes.

Threats can include identity theft, phishing spam, spyware, worms and viruses. These threats can infiltrate organiza­tion systems via one single email or thoughtless click of the mouse. This can damage files, gather sensi­tive information or aid an attempt to gain unauthorized access.

Email encryption can result in messages being intercepted and read at any point across serv­ers between sender and receiver. If an unencrypted message is caught by an unauthorized party, that informa­tion is at risk, breaching industry regulations for data privacy.

Compliance:

Due to the sensitive nature of data that health organizations collate about their patients’ there are a number of laws which must be complied with to eliminate security threats and promote legal and ethical uses of individuals’ data:

Want to know more about protecting your Healthcare Organization from Email Security Threats? Click Here.

image: source