The SafeSticks will provide complete security for all removable storage through military grade hardware encryption, and be distributed via seven public sector procurement hubs.
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust is one of over 100 UK hospitals currently using SafeSticks to protect portable data. Technicians also installed BlockMaster’s management suite, SafeConsole, around six months ago to monitor activity on USB sticks.
Other hospitals using the SafeSticks include the George Elliot NHS Hospital Trust in Warwickshire, and the Aintree University Hospital NHS Trust.
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust
The West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust came into being on 1 April 1993. It serves an area of approximately 600 square miles which extends to Thetford in the north, Sudbury in the south, Newmarket to the west and Stowmarket to the east. This encompasses a population of approximately 275,000.
The West Suffolk Hospital itself was founded in 1832, moving to its new site in Hardwick Lane in 1973. It was the first of a new design of hospitals to be known as “Best Buy” hospitals. This was the first standard design to combine a compact and economical hospital to meet modern purposes.
The SafeSticks – installed by Softek, a leading IT security, storage and archiving solutions distributor – will provide the NHS with complete protection through mandatory passwords and automatic hardware encryption, as well as timer Lockdown functionality (which locks SafeStick if there’s no user activity for a configurable period of time, preventing data loss if they are lost or stolen).
SafeConsole will provide users with full control, remote life-cycle management and device enhancement, with features including remote password recovery, customised password policy, audit for compliance, portable authentication tokens and productivity tools.
Constant challenge to keep data safe
Robert Howorth – the senior technical architect at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust – commented: “We were faced with the constant challenge of having to keep our data safe, but also ensuring staff can work remotely to increase efficiencies. The security of patient data is of paramount importance to us, so we needed a device that could provide complete protection against theft or loss. We also wanted the peace of mind that devices could be centrally managed, locking down and wiping data should a device become compromised.”
Howorth added: “We’ve been delighted with SafeConsole and SafeSticks as they are simple to use, which increases adoption and provides reassurance that data is protected no matter where it is.”
Adding his views, Daniel Ostner – the CEO at BlockMaster – explained: “The number of unsecure USB sticks lost each year is a problem we cannot sweep under the carpet. We need to be proactive with USB security, and not wait for a breach to happen until we think about it.”
Ostner also said: “It’s fantastic news to see that the NHS is leading the way with USB security. The introduction of Best Practice and diligence by organisations will protect sensitive data on portable devices and prevent embarrassing, as well as costly data breaches.”
Since the first release of SafeStick in early 2004, BlockMaster has notched up a successful track record of delivering secure USB Flash Drives. The company delivers full management capability for the administrator and a “world class” user acceptance experience for the end user.
First class encryption is the key
Mike Bienvenu – the technical director at Softek – concluded: “Critical data loss is on every IT director’s mind. With a frightening 66% of all USB sticks being lost or stolen, data stored on memory sticks simply has to be encrypted. The challenge has been achieving this quickly and easily without employee re-training or disruption.”
BlockMaster and Softek are continuing the roll-out of SafeSticks for more NHS hospitals, local Government departments, educational establishments and end users in the corporate sector.
Softek is a UK value add distributor for IT security, archiving and storage solutions and services. The company’s vast technical expertise ensures a full range of training and support services to reseller partners including consultants and system integrators. Since inception in 1994, Softek has advocated a comprehensive approach to information security.