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Secure business data with IronKey in time for POPI

Magix Integration has announced an agreement with IronKey to be a preferred supplier of data protection solutions for encryption, mobility and identity security. With the introduction of the Protection of Private Information Act (POPI) about to turn corporate data management on its head the deal comes at an opportune time. To date, South African businesses have had it easy when it comes to protecting sensitive data with no requirement to inform customers of data breaches or losses, and no accountability for what happens to their information. Protecting data with IronKey solutions will allow South African businesses to escape the cost and brand damage following public data breaches. In the UK, the cost of a data breach has already reached an average £1,68 million.^[1]

“South African’s personal information has been at the mercy of businesses to date, many of whom have no compunction in treating the personal information of clients with no respect,” says Hedley Hurwitz, MD of Magix Integration. “This is about to change, as the POPI Act will force companies to treat personal information ethically and make sure it is secured against theft or careless loss.”

Local attorney, Lance Michalson has noted that POPI will see the formal introduction of information security to South Africa. “[The Act] introduces requirements around security measures having to be introduced to secure the integrity of personal information as well as the requirement to notify third parties of a breach of security.”^[2]

One of the key risk areas for South African companies will be their USB flash drives and Magix Integration has moved swiftly to address this with IronKey.

IronKey is a secure, portable USB solution for encryption, mobility and identity security. The devices combine the strongest grade encryption with high performance data storage to make sure a lost USB flash does not lead to a data breach. Organisations can demonstrate they have protected data to meet their POPI commitments from day one using the IronKey Management Service. Unless an organisation can show proof that data was in fact protected with encryption when lost or stolen they may still be forced to make public notification.

IronKey portable security devices also provide active malware defences and strong two-factor hardware authentication to further protect enterprises from data loss. The devices can also receive automated security and anti-malware updates over the Internet or corporate network.

“Our South African enterprise clients are most impressed by the low cost and ease of deployment of IronKey, as well as the simple, centralised cloud-based management capability,” adds Hurwitz.

[1] Ponemon Institute, 2009

[2] http://www.michalsons.com/protection-of-personal-information-bill-the-implications-for-you/3041

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