It is critical for global companies to find the right solution that will enable secure, remote server management.  However, it is even more important for a company that is providing over 4,000 enterprises with a comprehensive security solution.

Cyberoam provides enterprises worldwide with a range of identity-enabled Unified Threat Management PLUS (UTM+) appliances.   Cyberoam is unique among UTM appliances worldwide with its identity-based security management paradigm. With the individual user being the weakest link in enterprise security, external threats are targeting users through spyware, phishing, pharming, viruses and more.

Attackers may be looking to breach a network for confidential information such as credit card numbers or just to create havoc.  Further, insider threats account for over 50 percent of threats faced by enterprises. 

How does it work?  Cyberoam’s technology allows for a user’s ID to be stamped onto a log file so an enterprise can see who has breached their network.  Furthermore, with identity and network data combined, enterprises are able to identify patterns of behavior by specific users or groups that can signify misuse, unauthorized intrusions, or malicious attacks from inside or outside the enterprise.

Cyberoam is a division of Elitecore Technologies, which has approximately 500 employees.  Elitecore’s divisions also include Crestel, which meets the voice, data, video, billing and customer care requirements of tier-one service providers. Cyberoam has its North American headquarters in New York City and has its R&D and support offices at the Elitecore headquarters in . Cyberoam secures global corporations in many industries including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, retail education and government.

With 15 servers, the company sought a keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch that would allow the servers to be managed both locally and remotely without compromising the security of its software or its customers.

THE SOLUTION

Cyberoam chose the AdderView CATx IP KVM switch.  It is a secure, KVM via CATx switch that provides four concurrent local, remote or global users with BIOS-level control of up to 24 multiplatform servers.  The switch delivers high security, flexibility, remote power control and high quality video and audio. Cyberoam leverages the 24-port version and selected a mixture of PS/2 and USB access modules to meet their needs.

It allows Cyberoam to control the servers from either And, users can also share the screen to see what colleagues are doing, which was not an option for the company in the past and quite an obstacle for solving problems such as server failure. “Our primary IT infrastructure consists of complex networks and systems from multiple Linux and Windows servers,” said Joseph Guan, North American IT manager for Cyberoam. “Our business relies on these systems to provide day-to-day operational needs for our employees and clients globally and it is crucial that we have complete control on these systems to manage them efficiently.”

Guan added, “It is mission critical for our servers to be up and running, it hurts our business if they go down.”

The Cyberoam servers managed through the use of the switch include:

 

• The Linux server that hosts critical information and updates to the company’s anti-virus, anti-spam software – clients require access to this 24/7.
• The Windows servers that provide Cyberoam employees access to network resources required for day-to-day operations including the Exchange e-mail cluster for corporate e-mail, the Primary Domain Control (PDC) for network authentication and the Adobe Connect Presentation server for corporate training solutions for all Elitecore Technologies employees, partners and customers.

Cyberoam was impressed by the switch because it is a VNC-based device, enabling easy management of projects such as updating client software to each computer.  With the Adder product, it’s plug-n-play with no downtime. 

  

Guan commented, “The product enables us to gain complete control of our systems down to BIOS level, which is a key security feature for our business.   It allows us to perform tasks as if were sitting in front of them, and most importantly, multiple engineers can view numerous multi-platform servers at the same time.”

  
Another important security function is the RSA 2048 bit public key authentication. Cyberoam’s data is encrypted so even if several of its employees are working remotely on the network the channel is secure and no information will be comprised.

 

RESULTS

The switch consolidates the management of Cyberoam’s multi-platform servers, which has lead to a lower total cost of ownership. Guan commented, “We think this is one of the best products.  In addition to a lower total cost of ownership, it has also helped us to increase the efficiency of troubleshooting.  

 

About the Source

Security Magazine thanks Richard Cawdery of Adder, a developer and manufacturer of KVM switches, video and audio extenders.