With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, protecting sensitive data has become a constant challenge for businesses. If you're already using Accops' solutions, you're likely familiar with the importance of securing your data across various endpoints and environments. However, ensuring that the data stored on user devices remains secure requires an additional layer of protection: file encryption.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Accops File Encryption within the HySecure client offers a powerful solution for addressing common data security risks while providing you with flexibility and control.
The Risks of Storing Unencrypted Files
While Accops provides secure remote access and application delivery, sensitive files stored on user devices remain vulnerable to specific threats without encryption. Below are some of the risks that unencrypted files introduce:
- Data Breach Vulnerability: Unencrypted files are stored in plaintext and are susceptible to unauthorized access if the device is compromised. If attackers gain access to a system or application, they can easily retrieve sensitive data.
- Insider Threats: Employees or trusted insiders who have access to unencrypted files can misuse or share sensitive data, intentionally or unintentionally, increasing the risk of leaks or breaches.
- Device Security Compromise: A lost or stolen device containing unencrypted files can quickly turn into a data security disaster. Without encryption, all sensitive data stored on the device is exposed to anyone who accesses it.
- Loss of Confidentiality: Intellectual property, business-critical data, and trade secrets stored in unencrypted files are vulnerable to exposure, which can result in loss of competitive advantage and trust.
What does Accops File Encryption do?
Accops File Encryption ensures that sensitive files are encrypted locally on the user’s device, preventing unauthorized access and tampering by third-party actors. By encrypting files, you ensure that even if a device is compromised, the data remains unreadable without the appropriate decryption keys.
How does Accops File Encryption work?
This feature works by enforcing strict access controls to determine which applications can access or modify sensitive files. By implementing predefined encryption policies, Accops File Encryption prevents unauthorized applications or processes from interacting with the data. This ensures that sensitive files remain secure even if a malicious actor gains access to the system.
As an administrator, you have the flexibility to configure File Encryption feature with a variety of access control combinations. This allows you to tailor encryption rules based on user roles, application requirements, and session types, ensuring that sensitive company data remains secure and is only readable by authorized applications during HySecure sessions.
Addressing Core Security Challenges
Here’s how Accops File Encryption solves the key data security challenges outlined above:
- Protection Against Unauthorized Access: Encrypts sensitive files, preventing unauthorized applications—whether malicious or benign—from accessing or modifying them. This is critical in preventing breaches where unauthorized users try to access files directly on user devices.
- Preventing Data Leakage: Prevents sensitive files from being uploaded to personal email or cloud storage. It ensures that even authorized users cannot accidentally or deliberately send sensitive data outside of the secured corporate environment.
- Device Security: In the event of a lost or stolen device, encrypted files remain protected because they can only be accessed by authorized users and authorized applications. The encryption keys are not stored locally, adding an additional layer of protection against unauthorized decryption.
FEATURES
• Application-Level File Encryption: Files created by certain applications with specific extensions will be encrypted on the disk. Only other approved applications with the same extension can access the unencrypted content; others will see only the encrypted version and can't modify it.
• Folder-Level File Encryption: If a specific folder path is defined in the config file for a whitelisted application, only files with approved extensions created in that folder by the application will be encrypted. Files that don't meet these criteria won't be encrypted.
• Application Integrity Check: If configured, the system will verify the process certificate of a whitelisted application when it creates a new file. The file will be encrypted only if the certificate matches one in a predefined list; otherwise, it won't be encrypted.
• URL-Based File Encryption: Files downloaded from approved URLs with specified extensions will be encrypted. Only applications with the same approved extensions will be able to view these files, while others will see encrypted data.
• Wildcard Characters Support: The config file can use wildcard characters to specify applications, such as using notepad.exe to represent any process that ends with notepad.exe, instead of requiring the full path.
• Feature Control Through HySecure Gateway: The ability to enable or disable features is managed through a gateway.
• Policy Configuration Through HySecure Gateway: The configuration of whitelisted applications, file extensions, folder paths, and URLs can be managed through the gateway.
Benefits of Accops File Encryption
Accops File Encryption delivers robust security enhancements tailored to the needs of IT administrators and end users, ensuring seamless integration with enterprise workflows and comprehensive data protection.
Benefits for IT Administrators
- Granular Policy Enforcement
Administrators can define and implement fine-tuned encryption policies, ensuring sensitive files are accessible only to authorized users and applications based on predefined rules. - Regulatory Compliance Simplification
File Encryption feature facilitates adherence to data protection regulations by enforcing encryption standards, simplifying audit readiness and compliance reporting processes. - Mitigation of Data Exfiltration Risks
Prevents unauthorized data transfers by restricting the ability to copy or upload sensitive files to unapproved platforms, reducing the risk of data leakage. - Efficient Deployment and Management
Integrated with the HySecure client, file encryption eliminates the need for additional software installations, streamlining deployment and simplifying ongoing management for IT teams. - Augmented Security Framework
By encrypting data at the file level, the feature enhances the organization’s layered security architecture, reducing vulnerabilities and fortifying defenses against cyber threats.
Benefits for End Users
- Transparent Operation
AFE operates unobtrusively, encrypting files in real-time without disrupting user workflows or requiring manual intervention. - Data Security Assurance
Provides users with confidence that sensitive data remains protected even in scenarios involving lost or stolen devices, mitigating potential security breaches. - Compliance Automation
Automatically enforces encryption policies, ensuring users adhere to organizational security standards without added complexity. - Secure Collaboration
Facilitates secure data sharing within authorized applications, enabling users to collaborate effectively while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. - Device-Level Protection
Ensures encrypted files remain inaccessible to unauthorized individuals or applications, even in scenarios of device compromise or physical theft.
Accops File Encryption delivers a powerful combination of advanced security controls for IT administrators and an intuitive, non-disruptive experience for end users, ensuring optimal protection and operational efficiency in diverse risk scenarios.
Conclusion
By encrypting files, controlling access, and preventing unauthorized actions, AFE offers a robust, customizable solution that strengthens your existing security posture. With full integration into the HySecure client, you can continue to ensure that your sensitive data is protected in a way that aligns with your organization’s needs.