Glyndŵr University Selects Forescout to Advance Network Security Programme
CounterACT Provides Automated Wireless Network Defences and Endpoint Visibility
While Reducing IT Team Workload
London, England — 20 June 2012 — Forescout Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of automated security control solutions for Fortune 1000 enterprises and government organisations, today announced that Glyndwr University, an inspiring and enterprising University based in Wrexham, North Wales, has selected Forescout’s automated security control platform to automate wireless network and endpoint security. As a result, the company was able to reduce network security threats and IT team workload.
When its wireless controllers were coming to the end of their life, Glyndŵr used the opportunity to not only progress their infrastructure, but also their defences. They began searching for a new network security product, one with wide-ranging functionality. Specific requirements included: the ability to manage and control the network serving students on the main campus; the ability to facilitate device authentication, to check students were who they said they were when logging in to the network; plus capability to manage the wide variety of endpoints brought on to the network by students, including laptops (Windows and Apple operating systems); smartphones and Xbox game consoles. Keeping out malware and viruses was also a critical requirement.
Glyndŵr University contacted Synetix, a leading IT solutions provider, which evaluated the situation before recommending Forescout CounterACT to resolve the University’s specific network security issues. The platform integrates network access, guest networking, mobile security and endpoint compliance capabilities into one easy-to-use and deploy appliance. The fact CounterACT requires no costly infrastructure changes or equipment upgrades was a key influencing factor in the purchasing process for Glyndŵr. Following a successful proof of concept conducted by Synetix, the University rolled out the solution across the main campus network.
Rob Stockton, Head of IT Services at Glyndŵr University, said, “Since installing CounterACT, we can’t remember the last time we had to visit the student halls to fix an IT problem. We used to encounter a whole range of malware attacks, including the likes of Conficker, and when students’ devices didn’t work they blamed our network. Since using CounterACT, we’ve suffered no malware attacks at all.”
CounterACT’s ability to identify unwanted applications, send warning notices and limit peer-to-peer file-sharing applications, including film and music download sites, has significantly reduced the number of overall malware and potential copyright infringement issues for the University. As a result, CounterACT has dramatically cut the University IT team’s workload; they are saving one man day per week, which equates to annual cost savings of around £4,500.
John Hagerty, EMEA Sales Director at Forescout, commented, “Throughout Europe, Forescout’s automated security control platform is delivering immediate productivity benefits and demonstrable cost savings to customers like Glyndwr University. CounterACT’s ability to provide full visibility and policy enforcement for all devices on the network is invaluable in helping to eliminate network security threats.”
Forescout was recently recognised by Frost & Sullivan as the largest independent NAC vendor and one that is growing the fastest among market leaders. To obtain an abridged copy of Frost & Sullivan 2012 NAC market analysis, visit www.forescout.com/frost2012.
About Forescout Technologies, Inc.
Forescout enables organisations to accelerate productivity and connectivity by allowing users to access corporate network resources where, how and when needed without compromising security. Forescout’s automated solutions for network access control (NAC), mobile security, endpoint compliance and threat prevention empower IT agility while preempting risks and eliminating remediation costs. Because the Forescout CounterACT platform is easy to deploy, unobtrusive, intelligent and scalable, it has been chosen by more than 1,700 of the world’s most secure enterprises and military installations for global deployments spanning 37 countries. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Forescout delivers its solutions through its network of authorised partners worldwide. Learn more at www.forescout.com.
Forescout Technologies, Inc. is a privately held Delaware corporation. Forescout, the Forescout logo, CounterACT and ActiveResponse are trademarks of Forescout. Other names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.