Securing company files in the era of bring your own device is a major concern for IT departments. To alleviate that worry, startup Bitglass on Wednesday launched a solution for securing corporate data 
via the cloud without requiring employees to download client software.
The company, backed by $ 10 million in venture funding, utilizes a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that does not require installing software or tracking of employees’ personal files. The company said the solution can be deployed in minutes with little administrative overhead. According to the company’s Web site, deployment only requires configuring the single sign-on settings to point to Bitglass. Cloud apps like Google Apps, Salesforce or Office365 will automatically redirect employees to Bitglass for authentication.
CEO and co-founder Nat Kausik noted in a statement that people use cloud apps and mobile devices in their personal lives because “they are easy to use, anytime, anywhere.” He added that his company is enabling IT “to move forward with these technologies, providing security for the organization and a frictionless experience for employees.”
SAML Single Sign-On
Bitglass is designed to protect cloud-based corporate data so that IT can control it outside the organization. When files are downloaded through Bitglass’ reverse proxy, a watermark is automatically installed so that the data can be tracked using patent-pending technology, even if it is sent to someone else outside the company. Managers can see who, what, when, where and how corporate data is utilized, and analytics can help provide the tracking and trails needed for compliance .
If a device is stolen or lost, or its owner leaves the enterprise, IT can wipe only the corporate data on the device — even though it does not have a Bitglass app or mobile device management profile. A SAML Single Sign-On unified identify can be integrated with existing sign-ons. Pricing is $ 10 per user per month.
From an employee’s point-of-view, the same apps and devices can be used for both personal and work purposes without having to be concerned that IT is monitoring personal data, the company said. There are no differences in the user experience pre- and post-Bitglass, and IT does not need to bother employees.
Trial Since September
The Campbell, California-based company was co-founded by former HP employee Kausik, who also founded and sold two other companies, fraud prevention and authentication provider Arcot to Computer Associates and application delivery vendor FineGround to Cisco . Co-founder and chief technology officer Anurag Kahol had been at Juniper Networks and Cisco. An ongoing trial has been in progress with about five dozen companies since September.
Kausik told news media that the company’s focus is on the cloud-based data that moves directly to mobile devices, without going through a corporate network. Many other soultions require software to be downloaded and installed on employee devices in order to monitor company data or to remotely wipe data.
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