Lookout uses network layer security to expand mobile protection

The shift towards a mobile and cloud focused workplace has brought a great deal of flexibility but it's also added new risks. How do you protect data when employees can access it at any time and from any device?

Lookout, a specialist in securing mobility, has expanded expanded Mobile Threat Protection with the introduction of Network Protection, an automatic on-device analysis of network connections to defend against man-in-the-middle attacks and ensure information is being securely transmitted.

Lookout's approach focuses on the risks that are the most relevant to enterprises, namely attempts to intercept, and decrypt data in transit. This allows it to minimize false positives, and enable users to stay connected and productive on the go, while providing admins with tools to rapidly address network-based threats.

"The vast majority of IT security leaders do not want to restrict employees' ability to be productive however and whenever they can," says Aaron Cockerill, VP of products at Lookout. "But corporate data transmitted outside the enterprise perimeter can pose a significant risk. As network attacks increase in sophistication and prevalence, enterprises need to have visibility into and protection against these threats while encouraging employee productivity on the go".

Network Protection automatically detects when a device connects to a new network and runs a series of health checks on the connection to ensure that it's behaving properly. Examples of checks performed include determining that the Root Certificate Authority used to issue the SSL certificates for HTTPS sites accessed match expected values, and that the cipher suites and TLS versions used are strong. If a new network connection is deemed unsafe, Lookout will alert the employee, IT admin and the mobile device manager within seconds to ensure corporate data is protected and steps are taken immediately to fix the threat.

Network Protection is available as part of Lookout Mobile Threat Protection and is sold through Lookout's Channel Partner Program. You can find out more on the company's website.

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