Securing the Mobile Workforce

The diversity and growth of users demanding wireless access to enterprise networks with smartphones, tablets and other devices, presents IT departments with a unique opportunity to migrate beyond legacy networks designed for wired PCs. Legacy networks are ill-suited to meet the demands of new applications ranging from videoconferencing to cloud collaboration. At Milestone Systems, we see that enterprises need an easy, secure and reliable way to connect and support everyone’s mobile device of choice. We recommend Juniper’s Simply Connected.

“It should be simple for individuals to choose and change their devices, simple to securely access their business applications and easy for the IT department to provision one policy per user that works across multiple devices, from tablets to smart phones to PCs,” said Alex Gray, senior vice president and general manager, campus and branch business unit, Juniper Networks. “Juniper’s Simply Connected approach is designed to meet those needs without compromising IT’s requirement to reduce the support burden in the face of new devices, security, reliability and network performance.”

Juniper’s Simply Connected approach to the enterprise embraces two critical concepts:

1) user-centric security and management independent of mobile device brand or type and

2) the opportunity to re-architect and reduce the network footprint in facilities where the mix of wireless and wired network access is changing.

As part of the new networking portfolio, Juniper introduced three new switching products, wireless LAN (WLAN) product innovations, and updated Apple iOS and Google Android mobile device security capabilities. Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite integrates mobile security and management controls, easing enterprise support burden for personal mobile devices and anytime, anywhere access.

Re-Architecting the Legacy Network

• Juniper’s EX Series Ethernet Switches now include Virtual Chassis fabric technology on more platforms to enable multiple interconnected switches to operate as a single, logical device, simplifying the campus wired network and resulting in fewer devices and wires to manage.
• Juniper’s WL family of WLAN controllers, access points (APs) and management tools help deliver wireless access to all campus and branch users with the same level of reliability and control that they expect from the wired network.
• Juniper’s SRX Series Service Gateways ensure secure, device-agnostic connections. SRX branch gateways combine high port density, advanced security and flexible connectivity into a single, easily managed platform that supports fast, secure and highly available campus and branch operations.
  

In addition, Junos Pulse enables user device freedom with IT self-service in order to secure, manage and enforce policy across a wide range of popular devices.

“Legacy campus and branch networks are now under a growing strain from the increased number of wireless devices entering the enterprise,” said Rohit Mehra, director of enterprise communications infrastructure at IDC. “Juniper’s Simply Connected approach helps customers simplify their network infrastructure to meet this new demand.”

Centralized Management

Juniper has enhanced its Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite to provide an integrated and centrally managed solution for secure network access, antimalware, antitheft and remote management features for a wide range of mobile devices. The latest version delivers new mobile device management and security controls. A policy-based user interface for Google Android devices is now available in the Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite, providing a near-zero-touch antivirus client that only requires user interaction when malware, spyware and non-compliant applications are detected.

The Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite now increases support for automated registration to include BlackBerry and Apple iOS devices, in addition to the previously supported Google Android devices. The automated registration feature simplifies the registration process for a user, since it does not require them to enter any codes or information to register and authorize the Junos Pulse client.

Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite offers a scalable, on-demand mobile security infrastructure through a secure, cloud-based software as a service (SaaS), allowing businesses to easily protect new user or corporate-owned mobile devices. Additionally, the Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite manages security features and policies quickly and seamlessly, without requiring huge upfront expense and ongoing maintenance for businesses deploying their own hardware and servers.

Remote Control

Enterprises are being flooded with employee requests to support new mobile devices, especially as more companies adopt a ”Bring Your Own Device” policy in response to employee demand for access to corporate networks from their personal devices. The new mobile device configuration and management features in Junos Pulse enable enterprises to simply and cost-effectively manage mobile devices, unburdening their IT teams while also granting employees the secure mobile productivity and flexibility they need.

Enterprises with Apple iPads, iPhones and iPod touch devices attempting to access their networks and resources can now enforce and set passcode policies, and provision and remove Microsoft Exchange profiles. They can also remove corporate-synched email, contacts and calendar events, provision VPN and Wi-Fi settings, and inventory and restrict applications that could introduce security risks. With the new functionality, IT departments can also locate and track lost or stolen Apple iOS-based devices through the Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite GPS locator, and then remotely lock the device and wipe its contents.

“It is becoming a reality that employees’ consumer devices are going to be accessing the corporate network, with or without permission. IT organizations are thus looking for solutions that let them say ‘yes’,” said Charles Kolodgy, research vice president for security products at IDC. “Enterprises require an integrated solution that can provide a broad range of capabilities, including secure connections, security protections and device management for a broad range of devices. Juniper Networks’ Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite is at the forefront of satisfying secure mobile connectivity.”

For discussion about your specific requirements, call the Juniper value-added integrator extraordinaire, Milestone Systems.