Friday, 27 October 2006

Sophos Blocks Distributed Computing Apps on Corporate Networks

Sophos is now trying to arm companies with the ability to control employees' use of distributed computing applications on corporate networks, following concerns that these programs can affect network performance. Such programs include SETI@Home and the BBC Climate Change Experiment. A survey conducted by Sophos reflects the concern that distributed computing applications are causing system administrators. 89.3 percent of respondents said they want to control usage of such programs on their networks.

SETI@Home (a scientific experiment which uses millions of computers around the world to analyse radio telescope data in the search for extra terrestrial intelligence) and the BBC Climate Change Experiment (which studies global warming) are just two of the applications that businesses can now set a usage policy for in the workplace. The programs use networked computing resources, which are not in use, for complex data crunching, and involve the receipt and transmission of information to and from third parties, the company is quoted to have said.

"Sophos Application Control is allowing me to block users from running unauthorised instant messaging and peer-to-peer programs without having to roll out any new security software. It's a simple and effective solution to a complicated problem," said Dave Marsh of the Information Security & Compliance Team at H.J. Heinz. "Controlling what my users can run helps to prevent so many risks including data leakage, bandwidth hogging and helps enforce compliance to company security standards."