Centrify Suite 2013.2 Platinum Edition includes features such as DirectControl, DirectAuthorize, DirectAudit and DirectSecure. By leveraging an existing infrastructure enterprise (such as Microsoft Active Directory), these provide central control and securing and auditing of user access through cross-platform systems, mobile devices and applications. To protect sensitive information, Centrify also provides secure authentication, enables single sign-on, consolidates Unix /Linux and Mac OS X identities, manages privileges and encrypts communication between systems. Centrify Suite provides a single architecture for centralized access and privilege management across more than 400 platforms, making it possible to monitor and report on privileged user activity across Windows, Linux and Unix systems.
The offering also provides enhancements to data leakage prevention (DLP), such as with the company's patented Zones and Computer Roles, which can be set up to centralize control and delegate administration to be as simple or as sophisticated as an organization requires. Centrify DirectControl enforces security and group policies on cross-platform systems and ensures users login as themselves across Linux, Unix and Mac OS X systems.
Anonymous access leaves a large hole in any forensic investigation and undermines DLP efforts. Centrify DirectAuthorize minimizes insider threats by enforcing least-access privileges across Windows, Linux and Unix systems, eliminating the use of super-user accounts and sudo commands ["superuser do"] that are not tied to a unique identity.
The documentation provided by Centrify came in the form of a series of DVDs that included interactive instructions that made the installation go seamlessly. In this evaluation, the basic implementation required a Windows system for administration, Active Directory, Active Directory domain controller (running on a Windows Server), a DNS server (which can be running on the same Windows Server) configured to allow dynamic updates for Active Directory services, and a Linux, Unix or Windows system.
Installation and basic configuration was completed in 15 minutes. After the setup, users will find a decent dashboard. Once users are past the initial graphic display, a lot of tree-type options and settings - similar to a large Microsoft Active Directory farm - are accessed. While not pretty, it was intuitive.
Centrify's support includes a basic no-cost, as well as a fee-based standard and premium offering. The standard and premium assistance and maintenance packages provide help via phone and email. Standard includes eight-hours-a-day/five-days-a-week aid, while premium provides 24/7. The cost of Centrify's per-fee support for standard assistance is offered at 20 percent of list. The premium option is offered at 25 percent of list. In addition to the above, all Centrify Express products are free to download and use. In addition, support features include a knowledge base and a FAQ list.
Overall, this is a good value for money spent.
