As I’ve mentioned before, Microsoft’s inclusion of AppLocker, the embedded technology that decides which software should or should not run based on an IT administrator’s rules, in Windows 7 was further validation that application whitelisting has emerged as the anti-malware solution of the future. While the Windows 7 default security model certainly provides a level of protection against malware threats, for enterprises that require stronger protection with less manual tuning, it is not enough. Continue reading this post…
Application whitelisting is coming … are you ready?
Sometime in 2010 virtually every new Windows PC will now come with a version of application whitelisting installed in the form of AppLocker. It’s time to start thinking about how application whitelisting will change the way you approach desktop security and how you intend to use whitelisting to protect your critical IT assets. In preparation for this shift, I thought it would be good to give some food for thought about what changes and what considerations you should give to your ultimate whitelisting strategy.
First, let’s look at what changes. Continue reading this post…
Microsoft’s Windows 7 AppLocker, a watershed moment for application whitelisting
From WikiAnswers:
Q: What is a watershed moment?
A: A critical turning point.
Microsoft’s decision to include AppLocker, a technology for application whitelisting, in Windows 7 is no less than a critical turning point for the future of endpoint security. You might think it strange that the CEO of an application whitelisting company is saying such a thing about a free software offering that many might see as a competitor. Not so.
AppLocker is an incredibly important step forward toward the realization that application whitelisting is the future cornerstone of a sound endpoint security strategy. Today, Roger Grimes, product reviewer for InfoWorld, wrote reviews for the leaders in application whitelisting, including a comprehensive look at CoreTrace. The results are impressive. Roger writes: Continue reading this post…
Congratulations to Patrick Morley, President & CEO of Bit9
Patrick,
Congratulations to you and your entire team on being named the top provider in InfoWorld’s inaugural application whitelisting product review, just edging out second place finisher, CoreTrace. Roger Grimes did an excellent job of assessing each of the solutions. While we honestly believe that our BOUNCER solution is the better product (as you would expect), we wanted to congratulate you on your win this round.
We are very excited that the application whitelisting market is coming of age, and that all of the benefits are becoming well known and documented. Reviews like this one, combined with increasing customer adoption and Microsoft’s big push of AppLocker, are all clear evidence of this sea change.
Roger’s review reflects what we both know and are experiencing in competitive deals everyday: it is quickly becoming a two horse race between our two companies. This review is further evidence that any company considering Bit9 should look at CoreTrace, and vice versa.
We are looking forward to jointly growing the application whitelisting market with Bit9, and to competing aggressively with you going forward.
Congratulations again and good luck in the future,
Toney
Top Endpoint Security Stories – October 2009: Microsoft News Dominates
October 2009 has come and gone and brought many new security stories with it. Trojan horses, botnets, and phishing remain hot topics, but October was dominated by Microsoft when it comes to endpoint security.
- Windows 7 Security is Front and Center – On October 22nd Microsoft Windows 7 officially went on sale and much of the news is concerning it’s improved security. eWeek highlighted the new Windows 7 security features in a recent article. Among the changes highlighted is the new AppLocker capability. I will be writing much more about this feature in the coming weeks, but for this post suffice it to say that they have the right idea with extremely poor execution. AppLocker brings application whitelisting to Windows 7 with some glaring omissions. The first problem, of course, is it only works on Windows 7, and even then only on enterprise editions. Another key problem is the lack of central administration which is the key to successful migration to application whitelisting. As I said, I will be spending much more on this topic in the coming weeks. Continue reading this post…