Startup Provides Top-Notch Access and Security Management for BYOD

My husband just got an iPad from his workplace and asked me to set up his company access system, which went something like this: search, download, register, validate, confirm, download, log in, validate, confirm, logout, open second app, download, register validate, confirm—you get the idea. And there were four apps to register.

I actually thought it was a pretty great idea, since it beats the days when I toted my own laptop back and forth to the office and got in trouble for doing so after I left. (Not my fault my replacement didn’t bother to get my files from the secure server storage for which I gave her the password. Ahem.) Anyway, I thought this iPad setup was pretty good, until I read about Averail Access’ new mobility management system on NetworkWorld.com, where one of their writers took it for a test drive.

The service allows companies to set up an ultra-secure, accessible, scalable, storage system for everyone to access. Since users set up the system on their own devices they can also link it to their personal accounts on storage portals like Dropbox (News - Alert), allowing searches to be run across all their storage options, and easy management of items across storage systems.

Averail created the service to answer the growing problem with BYOD (bring your own device), which leaves companies open to security breaches. While security protocols can be set when employees are putting company information on personal devices, it’s nearly impossible to cost-effectively make sure they’re using them. And when there’s a connectivity problem, the employee has to take work time to visit IT and get things straightened out – frustrating for everyone. A system like this is valuable for large companies but perhaps even more so for small companies that can’t afford full time IT support.

BYOD is a growing trend, eliminating the need for employees to separate devices for personal and work. Sixty-two percent of American companies allow it now and that number is even higher in South America and parts of Europe. Even a physician friend I know gets on-call pages now through their iPhone (News - Alert), and for a sales person the days of faxing and mailing things when you get back to the office are gone.

Averail conglomerates the online storage and file sharing options into one secure, centrally hosted spot. Accounts can be accessed from a device or simple online Web portal and it’s all integrated with offline access. The employer has the ability to selectively, remotely wipe or lock content, as well as push automatic updates or file versions. Right now the system is optimized for iOS 7 with an Android (News - Alert) client in the beta stage.  Access through Windows and HTML5 is in development for planned release later this year.

The tester for NetworkWorld.com couldn’t find anything to dislike about the service and was particularly impressed with its flexibility across programs and storage. Future updates are planned to support Microsoft (News - Alert) Office and the entire system is designed with plans to be flexible enough to adapt to new storage service. All of that is part of the reason Averail was names one of 13 Hot Security Startups to Watch by e Security Planet. At $10 per month per user Averail Access is a system worth exploring.