Let’s face it, most SMEs (with the emphasis on “S” there) don’t have the time, resource or skills to monitor and protect their computer networks against malware. While “most” probably have anti-virus software installed (and generally out of date) and possible ad-aware, that’s about as advanced as they get.
Interesting to see then that Panda Security, an existing provider of installed protection apps, is now offering a Managed Office Protection solution, a security-as-a-service offering aimed at SMEs.
Administrators have control from a web based dashboard which is (obviously) accessible anywhere. As it is a hosted product, new threats can be reacted to very quickly. Instant information is delivered to administrators via the Web console. Administrators can then send suspected threats to PandaLabs for analysis. The client agent is a miserly 5Mb which pales in comparison to the combined size of the (installed app) alternatives.
Panda’s specific features are;
Proactive protection
Proactive protection against known and unknown threats or even hidden threats including files and email protection, Internet browsing and Instant Messaging protection.
Managed personal firewall and HIPS
Managed personal firewall and HIPS that can be centrally or locally managed depending on administrator’s needs.
In depth malware audit service.
In depth malware audit service to periodically assess the status of the whole network.
Web administration console
Web administration console to manage all protections including those from remote offices.
P2P and automated upgrades / updates.
Workstations can update or upgrade their protection from nearest desktop minimizing the bandwidth consumption.
Profile based protection
Profile based protection to assign different policies or protection profiles to different users according to the organization needs.
Delegated administration management
Delegated administration management enabling to split administration tasks between other privileged users.
Flexible installation.
Offers different options for deployment. With or without users intervention
Daily status reports in your e-mail.
Configurable reports with detection activity and update processes.
Update – there seems to be some confusion with Panda’s pricing – it indicate discounts with multiple users but this does not show up on their pricing schedule – Hopefully Panda will advise what their actual pricing for a multiple user business is.
Where did you get the information for this post from? You linked to Panda’s Wikipedia page, which was interesting because I learned that Panda have been known for spamming customers and that they were founded by a Scientologist. But it didn’t tell me anything about their “Security As A Service” offering? And Panda’s website doesn’t provide any further details on this.
I take SME security seriously as it’s one of my business’s core products and I’ve standardised on using Trend Micro’s offerings. They have products specifically tailored for small businesses and they also have a centralised, hosted administration console which I use to administer my client’s onsite security. They don’t use fancy 2.0 terms like “Xxxxxx as a Service” but it’s effectively the same thing.
Hi Stuart
Link now changed to Panda’s managed offering
Thanks Ben – according to the website the pricing is: “From just US$ 74.11”
Apologies Stuart – it was v. early in the morning but I’ve changed it now