Barracuda Networks launched the Barracuda IM Firewall this month, the first all-in-one instant messaging appliance that combines an IM server with native consumer IM traffic filtering and IM archiving and policy management technologies in one package.
The Barracuda IM Firewall provides the tools necessary for organizations to secure, monitor, and manage all IM communication. The Barracuda IM Firewall is capable of managing and archiving all public IM traffic as well as providing a secure instant messaging server for internal -and often confidential - corporate communications.
The Barracuda IM Firewall's secure internal IM server, coupled with strong IM traffic identification and archiving functionality helps address the increasing concerns surrounding IM use and compliance with laws such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, as well as Basel II and other industry regulations. The Barracuda IM Firewall features automatic IM logging and complete archiving including date, time and full text of discussions between parties. The Barracuda IM Firewall captures and logs all IM traffic - from the internal IM server and public IM services and networks - and is equipped to archive all users' IM sessions for five years.
The Barracuda IM Firewall is available in 5 models - the 220, 320, 420, 620 and 820 and supports up to 7,000 users in a single system. Organizations with more than 7,000 users can combine multiple Barracuda IM Firewalls serving distinct user segments to provide private and secure IM communication across very large communities.
How do Instant messaging systems work?
According to this Darwin Mag article, Instant messaging systems may use one of several methods to deliver messages:
a. a centralized network, which connects users to a series of servers. The servers route a message through the network until it is sent to a recipient. These instant messaging systems centrally store user information including user names, passwords and "buddy lists" b. a peer-to-peer network, which uses a single server that tracks who is online. After the system identifies who is logged on, messages are sent directly to the recipient with no server involvement. This enables speedy exchanges of messages with graphics and large files c. a hybrid of the above-mentioned two methods. Barracuda IM Firewall and Archiving System source
ArcMentor Inc. has developed a software that will not only manage and control Instant Messaging in your organization in the most effective way, but also securely archive all instant messages and conference traffic in a database on the server side.
ArcMentor works together with your enterprise IM platform in a seamless way, providing transparent, secure archiving of all instant message and conference traffic. The content is stored securely on the server side where only authorized individuals are able to access the stored content.
ArcMentor is just one application in our suite of products that are available for integration with the technology you use today. Our products integrate with existing enterprise information technology to manage and structure the flow of real-time communication among individuals, groups, and applications.
By wrapping real time communications around the technology that runs your business, you can respond in real time to time-critical events, giving your enterprise the critical advantages of saving time and money and speeding decision-making.
Features of ArcMentor:
Real Time Monitoring and Archiving of Live Chats within your organization.
Log and archive 100% of IM conversations. Nothing is lost at the end if an IM Session.
Can exclude a particular user if the Administrator feels there is no need to archive or log the user’s messages.
Backup and Retrieval of IM Conversation.
Integrated support for all public and enterprise IM systems, including AOL, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2003/2005, Sun One Instant Messaging, Jabber, IBM Lotue Sametime and more.
Prevents misuse or abuse of information protection policies.
Leverages a tamper-proof archive for data integrity.
Searches and retrieves messages quickly and easily through a secure, permission-based Web interface.
Installs easily at the client-level with almost no user training required.
Captures Files being transferred between IM Users.
Works with all versions of Windows along with Linux and Solaris operating system.
visit www.arcmentor.com
Posted by: Alistair Canmpbell | April 11, 2006 4:54 AM | Permalink to Comment