Date:08/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/08/stories/2005100803110400.htm

Back New Citrix suite to address network security concerns

L.N. Revathy

Coimbatore , Oct. 7

IN an increasingly connected and mobile world where anywhere anytime access is becoming a reality, security is emerging as one of the biggest concerns for corporate networks and the threat arises from the growing complexity of the network itself, says Mr Kishore Badami, Senior Director, Marketing and Alliances, Citrix Systems India Private Ltd.

Stating that very few companies have a proper "access'' strategy in place, Mr Badami said access to information and reduction in the complexity of an IT set-up were vital for growing businesses. "A holistic access strategy reduces cost and improves IT's responsiveness to business issues," he said.

In an e-mail interview to Business Line, Mr Badami stressed the importance of `on-demand' access infrastructure for enterprise application and information. He said: "The extended enterprise gives Indian corporates the flexibility to make decisions anywhere. In such a situation, there is a compelling need for a CIO to make information available at the click of a button."

Asked how organisations would be able to tackle the challenges posed by accessing information anytime and anywhere, he said Citrix had rolled out a technology — Secure Access Gateway, which helps eliminate "man-in-the-middle attack".

But how do organisations manage the diversity of users in terms of their different trust levels and individual purposes for accessing all sorts of data? Mr Badami said "security systems need to be watertight and there should be a constant vigil on who is able to access data of critical relevance. Access infrastructure is that solution where applications, platforms and client devices are considered as integral components of a single system rather than as parts working in isolation or with certain "preconditions" .

The Citrix Access Suite 4.0, he said, was designed for enterprises of all size.

Asked how the security element could be safeguarded in a situation when senior executives quit the organisation, Mr Badami stressed the need for a periodic review of the security policies and responsibilities with new hires and thereafter keeping records of information accessible and monitoring records for unusual activity.

"With technology having grown by leaps and bounds, enterprises, too, have to ensure that their information remains secure.