ForeScout, Citrix Offer BYOD Security Solution

As more people are using their personal devices for work, a scheme known as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), enterprise IT personnel are looking for ways to minimize security risks to the company's data. ForeScout and Citrix have teamed up to offer a solution by integrating their Citrix XenMobile MDM Edition and ForeScout CounterACT network access control products.

"The acceptance of corporate-provisioned and personal mobile device use has a substantial impact on IT organizations. People want to use consumer devices in the office, are bringing their own devices to work and once the device is there, expect connectivity with business assets. Clearly, organizations must secure their data, but that is not exclusive of device, network and application control," said Scott Crawford, managing research director at Enterprise Management Associates. "By combining NAC with other security mechanisms, such as mobile device management, companies can better manage mobility risks by gaining pre-admission and post-admission mobile device intelligence and policy-based control."

"CounterACT's unique visibility and automated control serve as a foundational platform for network security and BYOD," said Ed Buffone, senior director worldwide business development at ForeScout. "By collaborating with Citrix, our customers can take advantage of IT consumerization with an approach that delivers the right level of security and manageability."

The solution manages risk from mobile devices. It can detect unmanaged devices attempting to connect to business networks and limit or block access entirely. Citrix XenMobile MDM Edition can also be installed on a new device when it first joins the network.

The system can also block access to rooted or jailbroken devices. Other methods of security, including strong passwords, encryption, mobile application blacklisting and minimum operating system versions can also be implemented.

The combined solution allows administrators to manage all the devices--PCs, smartphones and tablets--that join a company's network through the ForeScout CounterACT platform.

"It's important to give businesses a holistic approach to mobile device management and security," said Sameer Mehta, principal product manager for Citrix Mobile Platforms Group. "This integration with ForeScout delivers a best-of-breed solution that provides end-to-end mobility management and security across devices, applications, data and networks.