SafeNet ProtectDrive 8.4 is a software-based encryption solution that uses a client-server-based architecture for full disk encryption. The server component integrates with Active Directory (AD), and client components are installed on Windows-based operating systems. The server component manages all client configurations and policies and is pushed down via objects created using the familiar Windows-based MMC interface.
We installed the product on our Windows 2003 test server and ran the necessary tools to prepare our schema for the pending extensions. ProtectDrive offers an option to use an instance of ADAM (Active Directory Application Mode) or to integrate directly with AD by extending the schema. Installation of the server components was effortless, and the client installation on our Windows XP SP2 test machine was relatively easy. SafeNet recommends pushing the MSI install using a third-party software distribution tool.
ProtectDrive performed admirably and comes with all the features you would expect in this Group Test. Pre-boot authentication, multifactor authentication support, disaster recovery and other options are all standard as part of the solution. We liked the integration with AD, and the option to manage our client machines remotely using the server tools, or locally using a unique client configuration on a per host basis. Anytime policy was updated or changed, we were able to monitor the changes, updates and status of various aspects of our client configuration through the management console. Encryption is available in various flavors of AES and IDEA.
Supporting documentation was contained in numerous PDF files, which were very detailed and helped us through installation and configuration tasks. The SafeNet support website contains a customer portal and FAQs, as well as contact information for various support issues.
Pricing starts at $75 per seat for 500 to 999 users. Support options include basic eight hours a day/fi ve days a week phone, email and web-based support, as well as additional support levels that range from 15 to 20 percent of the purchase price. We find the per seat value of ProtectDrive to be very competitive given its feature set.
We installed the product on our Windows 2003 test server and ran the necessary tools to prepare our schema for the pending extensions. ProtectDrive offers an option to use an instance of ADAM (Active Directory Application Mode) or to integrate directly with AD by extending the schema. Installation of the server components was effortless, and the client installation on our Windows XP SP2 test machine was relatively easy. SafeNet recommends pushing the MSI install using a third-party software distribution tool.
ProtectDrive performed admirably and comes with all the features you would expect in this Group Test. Pre-boot authentication, multifactor authentication support, disaster recovery and other options are all standard as part of the solution. We liked the integration with AD, and the option to manage our client machines remotely using the server tools, or locally using a unique client configuration on a per host basis. Anytime policy was updated or changed, we were able to monitor the changes, updates and status of various aspects of our client configuration through the management console. Encryption is available in various flavors of AES and IDEA.
Supporting documentation was contained in numerous PDF files, which were very detailed and helped us through installation and configuration tasks. The SafeNet support website contains a customer portal and FAQs, as well as contact information for various support issues.
Pricing starts at $75 per seat for 500 to 999 users. Support options include basic eight hours a day/fi ve days a week phone, email and web-based support, as well as additional support levels that range from 15 to 20 percent of the purchase price. We find the per seat value of ProtectDrive to be very competitive given its feature set.
