Reduces or Elevates Permissions by Application or Task on Windows Desktops
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- RSA Conference -- DesktopStandard
Corporation (formerly AutoProf) today announced the release of PolicyMaker(TM)
Application Security (PMAS), a software solution that enables network
administrators to enforce the 'least privilege' security principle on Windows
desktops via Microsoft's Group Policy change and configuration management
system. PMAS is the first product that makes it possible to reduce or elevate
permissions on a per-application or per-task basis, resolving longstanding
barriers to implementation of the least privilege best practice.
With this add-on to the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC),
administrators can adjust application privilege levels to the lowest possible
point in order to limit damages stemming from network attacks or user error.
The ability to control security at such a granular level also can help
facilitate compliance with regulatory mandates such as the Sarbanes-Oxley,
HIPAA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley acts.
The product allows administrators to:
-- Elevate the permission level for restricted users who are performing
selected tasks or running applications that require higher privileges
than those to which the user is normally entitled. This eliminates
the need to raise each user's privilege levels for all applications
and thereby expose the network to unnecessary risk.
-- Reduce the permission level for administrators working on general
applications, such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook. This
avoids the use of full administrative permissions for applications
that do not require it without the need to log out and then in as a
different user, use the Windows RunAs utility to work under another
user's name, or invoke other complicated workarounds that reduce
productivity.
"The 'least privilege' model has long been a security best practice, but
it has been difficult if not impossible to put into effect," said Kevin
Sullivan, PolicyMaker Product Manager at DesktopStandard Corporation. "Our
PolicyMaker Application Security solution makes it possible to implement this
standard for the first time, all from within the familiar Group Policy
environment."
PMAS is the newest addition to DesktopStandard's PolicyMaker(TM) line of
Group Policy Extensions, which also includes PolicyMaker(TM) Standard Edition
for rapid configuration of Windows desktops across an enterprise;
PolicyMaker(TM) Software Update for Group Policy-based patch management; and
the free PolicyMaker(TM) Registry Extension for flexible management of
registry policy.
The complete suite of PolicyMaker products offers a total of 23 extensions
to the Group Policy system that has been integrated with Active Directory
since the release of Windows 2000. These extensions complement the 11 native
extensions that ship with Windows.
All PolicyMaker products seamlessly integrate with Microsoft's Group
Policy Management Console, including backup, restore, import, copy, edit, and
RSoP capabilities. PolicyMaker policy settings can be imported directly using
drag and drop and a variety of local and remote computer browsers and wizards,
and each setting can be targeted using any of 25 graphical filtering
categories.
Pricing, Specifications and Availability
PolicyMaker Application Security is available immediately from
DesktopStandard and authorized resellers. Pricing starts at $25 per seat for
enterprises with up to 500 computers, including one year of upgrade assurance
and technical support. Volume discounts are available for larger
organizations. PolicyMaker supports Windows 2000, XP and 2003 Server,
Terminal Server, MetaFrame and all versions of Outlook, Office and Internet
Explorer.
About DesktopStandard Corporation
DesktopStandard Corporation (formerly AutoProf) is the leading developer
of Group Policy-based desktop management products. The company has over
3,000 customers, over 3 million desktops under management, and a worldwide
network of integrators and resellers. DesktopStandard is a Microsoft Gold
Certified Partner. PolicyMaker Standard Edition (formerly Policy Maker
Professional), the first product based on Group Policy Extension, was released
in late 2003, followed by the release of PolicyMaker Software Update in 2004,
and PolicyMaker Application Security in 2005. PolicyMaker was recently
awarded the 2004 Active Directory Product of the Year - Gold Award by the
editors of TechTarget's Windows Media Group. For more information, visit
http://www.desktopstandard.com .
SOURCE DesktopStandard Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.desktopstandard.com
http://2005.rsaconference.com/us
CONTACT:
Tony Keller of S&S Public Relations,
+1-847-415-9330, or tony@sspr.com
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