Best Device Control Software

What is Device Control Software?

Device control software is a computer program that allows you to monitor and control data transfers across various removable storage devices. It helps IT departments and business owners protect their data from threats like accidental loss, leakage, and loss.

Removable devices make data storage and sharing easy. They provide seamless access to information of all types and formats, ranging from documents to images and videos. But this seamless access also increases the risk of both insider and external threats. Insider threats emerging from within the organization are more common and hazardous.

A device control system allows you to allow or block access to devices like laptops, PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc. Your IT team can utilize USB device control software to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Essential Features of Device Control Software

Device control software offers various modules and functionalities that enable you to monitor and control data in your removable devices. Some key features of a device control system are:

1. Device Access Control

Device control software admins can control which employees and users can access the USB, FireWire, LPT, and COM ports. Besides, you can also monitor which users can use WiFi, Bluetooth adapters, printers, and other devices in your organization. The device access control module provides superior control, as you can oversee and manage the users who can access different devices.

2. Network Communications Control

Device control software solutions come with a dedicated module for controlling network communications. It enables you to add a layer of control over network protocols, instant messenger applications, web apps, and other Windows endpoint network communications. It further allows you to control regular and SSL-tunneled email communications.

In addition, the network communications module lets you control HTTP-based applications. You can extract content from encrypted HTTP sessions. Some advanced device control tools also enable you to manage social networks, web searches, and cloud-based file sharing. You can regulate the supported sites and email addresses, as well.

3. Content Filtering

Most modern-day device control software systems go beyond contextual security. The content filtering module has become a common element of most device control solutions. This module allows you to analyze and filter the binary and textual content of information copied to removable drives or other storage devices. The content filtering module also lets your sessions and data objects within your network communications.

Device control software comes with a content analysis engine that allows you to extract textual and binary data from 100+ data types and file formats. You can detect structured data based on industry-specific filters, like HIPAA, PCI, and more.

4. Content Discovery

The content discovery module helps you get access and visibility into confidential, "at-rest" data stores across your IT ecosystem. The module allows you to run automatic data scans to identify and prevent data branches and ensure regulatory and data security compliance.

With the discovery module, you can run scans and locate documents with sensitive and confidential information. It also provides the option to remediate the content or take incident management measures from the dashboard itself.

5. Tamper Protection

The tamper protection feature enables you to prevent tampering with the device settings. In many cases, users with local admin privileges tend to tamper with device settings. By activating the tamper protection module, you can prevent the tampering of device settings.

6. Centralized Configuration and Deployment

USB device control software allows you to deploy security policies across your organization's network. Using this feature, you can deliver policy template files to your employees. The centralized configuration also allows you to automate the deployment of new policies.

What are the Different Device Control Tools?

When you start looking for device control software tools, you'll come across various options to choose from. Let's simplify things for you. Here are some of the best device control tools you can try.

1. Endpoint Protector

Endpoint Protector is a cutting-edge device control system that allows you to discover, manage, control, and protect your organizational information. This cross-platform device control software enables you to control, monitor, and if required, lock down your peripheral and USB ports. It also helps you generate reports and alerts for USB activity across all your endpoints.

Key Features:

• Remotely monitor peripheral and USB ports
• Grand temporary access to USB
• Ensure optimum performance on protected computers
• Achieve precise and granular control

2. McAfee DLP

McAfee DLP is a well-known device control system suited for all types and sizes of businesses. It allows you to control the copying of sensitive information to and from removable devices. With McAfee DLP, you can inspect user actions on data stored in the removable devices. You can also block different types of data on the removable storage drives for better security management.

Key Features:

• Policy manager and classification control
• Protect sensitive enterprise information
• Implement and enforce security policies
• Make removable devices "read-only"

3. Symantec DLP

Symantec DLP is a device control software system that helps you mitigate data breach and compliance risks. You can implement the solution for data on networks, cloud, storage, and endpoints. It comes with a specific DLP for endpoints to ensure superior device control functionality.

Key Features:

• Obtain deep visibility into sensitive files
• Get control over various devices, applications, and platforms
• Identity-based encryption
• Endpoint-specific DLP

4. DriveLock

DriveLock is one of the best-known cybersecurity solutions for small, medium, and large businesses. It provides best-in-class device control capabilities that allow you to monitor transactions happening through USB data carriers. DeviceLock comes with various modules, including Application Control, Machine Learning, Encryption, Bitlocker Management, and more.

Key Features:

• Get control over your internal and external devices
• Extensive forensic analysis
• Encrypt hard disk and files on central and local directories
• Control devices connected to your corporate network

5. Ivanti

Ivanti is an intuitive device control software solution that lets you implement and enforce security policies on all devices in your organization. It helps protect your endpoints from malware. Ivanti comes with a flexible architecture and robust data encryption properties to ensure superior data and endpoint security.

Key Features:

• Get visibility and control over all endpoints
• Whitelist and centrally manage devices
• Set role-based access control
• Grant temporary or scheduled access

What Industries Use Device Control Software?

With cybersecurity threats on the rise, several industries have adopted device control strategies. Let's look at the top five industries that use device control software.

1. Healthcare

Hospital managers are responsible for storing and securing confidential data of hundreds and thousands of patients. Any data theft or leakage can result in hefty losses – both in terms of reputation and revenue – for the hospital. Therefore, most modern-day healthcare facilities use USB device control software to ensure superior data security.

2. Manufacturing

Manufacturing might seem like a traditional industry that doesn't have much to do with technology. But the recent developments in manufacturing technology and the implementation of IoT has made it a lucrative target for cyberattackers. Hence, manufacturing companies use device lock software to protect their sensitive data and information.

3. Construction

Similar to manufacturing, the construction industry has also witnessed a boom in technological adoption. Construction technology, such as PropTech, ConTech, and construction management software, has made the operations significantly digital. Construction companies use device control software to keep their digital devices secure and free of any potential safety risks.

4. Banking and Finance

This comes as no surprise. The banking and finance industry has always been the go-to target for cybercriminals. While the industry has witnessed massive security developments, the risk of data theft and breach still remain. Hence, many financial institutions and banks use device control solutions to keep their data safe from both internal and external threats.

5. Retailers

Insider frauds and data thefts are common in the retail industry. As the industry adopts new technology, the risk of security breaches also increases. Therefore, retailers readily use USB  device control software to make their operations safe and secure.