Check Point Software Technologies has launched Abra, a solution that provides businesses with a secure virtual workspace through a USB drive. The Israel-based in association with SanDisk has created this device, which enables mobile workers can access files and applications anywhere and anytime.

Abra can turn any PC into a fully secure corporate desktop and provides users access to company emails, files and applications anywhere whether offline or online through integrated virtual private network (VPN) connectivity. Abra loads itself automatically on any PC, and contains local encrypted storage to protect any data stored on the device. said Bhaskar Bakthavatsalu, regional director India & SAARC, Check Point Technologies.

Generally remote workers and contractors accessing the corporate network through personal or third-party equipment can put businesses sensitive data at risk and threaten the network. But with Abra, users can simply plug the USB drive into a Windows-based PC and enter their credentials to immediately turn any PC into a corporate desktop.

To safeguard sensitive data stored on Abra, the device utilizes several advanced security measures. Hardware and software encryption protects data at rest and when in use. Program control regulates the types of applications used by Abra to protect the corporate network from malware associated with unauthorized applications. Finally, virtualization technology isolates an Abra work session from the host PC, ensuring sensitive data remains on Abra and preventing data loss.

The device is available in India, available in 4GB and 8GB USBs priced at $140 (Approx Rs 6400) and $210 (Approx Rs 9400) respectively.

Novell is offering Novell Cloud Security Service (NCSS), a Web-based identity and access management solution for cloud service providers in India. NCSS will allow SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS providers to offer their enterprise customers the ability to deploy their existing identity infrastructure in the cloud.

With NCSS, currently in private beta but scheduled for release in mid 2010, the company is targeting cloud providers like Amazon, Google, Verizon and many some Indian cloud service providers such as Ramco Systems.

The development for NCSS began about 6 months ago and Novell R&D centre in Bangalore has developed a significant share of this product on the cloud platform along with other R&D centres.

Novell says security can be operated at a number of levels in cloud computing. The first level of security would be how and where data is deployed in a typical workload, data typically being the most sensitive element of any workload.

From Novell’s view, a security policy can be embedded into the workload, and through using orchestration management tools, ensures that the workload is only deployed on hardware or in locations that meet the security policy.

At another level, the company sees a federated-style user access being the key to reducing complexity.  The application or service owner can use the same authentication and authorization as the client uses today, thereby not having to maintain a separate set of identities. It also allows the client to make changes to a security policy, and it will adhere to the changes, regardless of where the workload might be running in the cloud.

McAfee has announced plans for the latest version of its data loss prevention (DLP) solution that addresses growing concerns about the security of regulated data and sensitive information. The technology is planned to include a common policy across all components, database crawling, easier workflow through the McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator platform and greatly improved support for Microsoft Active Directory. Built upon unique data analytics technology, McAfee DLP technology provides comprehensive data protection — from the USB drive to the firewall and beyond.

McAfee DLP technology can be deployed within days as opposed to the typical six to nine month period, allowing organizations to immediately test policies against corporate data and achieve faster time to value. There will be a tight integration between McAfee DLP and the rest of the McAfee data protection portfolio allows for automated responses to threats in a coordinated way. Also the advanced data analytics gives customers deep understanding about how their data is used allowing them to better anticipate problems that would otherwise go undiscovered.