Content

Total Defense for Business

Total Defense for Business is a cloud-based endpoint security platform offering advanced anti-malware technology that protects an organization's endpoint devices from malware, secures and controls applications being used by end-users, and protects against threats from removable media (e.g., USB drives). It is centrally managed in the cloud and enabled on local devices with the installation of the Mobile Application Client. All policies are user-centric so policy enforcement stays consistent as users move from endpoint to endpoint. It is also one of three security services offered by the company, the others being for email and web security. All three services are fully integrated with a single console, directory connector and policy and reporting engines. The mobile application client also has a local user interface that can be used to ensure that the client is picking up the correct policies and settings, and also to start any manual file scans on the endpoint. It should be noted that while the mobile application client is the only way to use the endpoint security service, it is only one of several options to use the web security service.

An email from Total Defense provided access to documentation, which included Mac and Windows endpoint guides. The company also sent an email that included a username and password and the URL. This product is classified as a software-as-a-service (SaaS), so there is no server, manager or database to install. Startup is as simple as obtaining a subscription and logging into the service. Client hardware requirements include most current versions of Windows OS (XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Server 2003, 2008 and 2012) and Apple Mac OS X (10.6 - Snow Leopard, 10.7 - Lion, and 10.8 - Mountain Lion). The agent installer will put the web security agent and AV engine on the client machine.

After logging into the product, we were presented with the Total Defense dashboard. At the top of the screen, there was an option bar and on the side was a drop-down menu. After selecting the support link, the system presented a user guide and video link (at this time, the video link did not have any videos in the system). The support link led to account detail, knowledge base and support ticket. Next, the policy tab was selected and the system presented a configuration window that included contact data and location information. After this was done, we performed enrollment of clients, group memberships and use of the system. 

The simplicity of this tool is excellent and it is available wherever one can reach a browser. This is a good entry point into endpoint security for smaller organizations that have limited infrastructure resources or are looking for a solution that does not need all of the bells and whistles.

Total Defense provides 24/7 phone and email support included in the yearly subscription cost. The knowledge base is built into the management console along with how-to videos and the option to submit support tickets. A support page on the website provides additional contact information. 

We found that the value for the money spent is good.



Product title
Total Defense for Business
Product info
Name: Total Defense for Business Description: Total Defense for Business is a cloud-based endpoint security platform offering advanced anti-malware technology. Price: Starts at $28 per one-year subscription, or $67.50 for three years.
Strength
Good dashboard and low system requirements.
Weakness
Needs attention to encryption and data leakage prevention.
Verdict
This is a good entry point into endpoint security for smaller organizations.

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