Cyber-Ark Vault: Instant Shared WAN

Cyber-Ark's Inter-Business Vault 2.5 eliminates most headaches associated with sharing data between external vendors and customers. The product combines Cyber-Ark's Inter-Business File Server, Inter-Business Mail Server and Inter-Business FTP Server into a cohesive entity that mimics the functions of an internal network. In other words, the Inter-Business Vault becomes an instant shared WAN, enabling enterprises to communicate and share data over the Internet without requiring an actual WAN to be set up.

The product can segregate shared data from a company's internal resources, as well as ease cross-organization file sharing. Cyber-Ark uses a "bank vault" paradigm, where each secure server can be defined as one or more vaults. Within these vaults, users or administrators can create access rights for individuals or groups of users. Each vault can contain several "safes," similar to the concept of safe-deposit boxes in a bank vault. Although the concept may sound confusing, the visual representation of vaults and safes is quite appealing, easy to use and concise.

A secure client or secure Active-X control enables access to the vaults, using SSL and proprietary encryption to keep data secure. Users can choose to integrate third-party encryption and authentication methods, such as PKI, RSA or Windows Domain authentication, to further secure a session. The user experience is straightforward, using either a browser or the Cyber-Ark client. End users simply navigate to the vault, then authenticate their identity to access the safes that they have rights to. Security is completely granular, allowing control over read, write, view and other capabilities. Users can only see the safes they are authorized to access.

At $56,000, Inter-Business Vault is fairly expensive. To justify such an expense, solution providers should focus on the product's intangible benefits, such as the ability to share data securely across multiple business entities and promote the product's ease of use and simplified management. In the past, solution providers were forced to cobble together various technologies to create a functioning and secure interbusiness WAN. In doing so, they were faced with support, customization, integration and administrative challenges that often increased the cost of ownership over time. Compared with the long-term costs of a homegrown WAN solution, Cyber-Ark comes out ahead.

Solution providers can further integrate or customize the Inter-Business Vault using Cyber-Ark's Software Development Kit (SDK). The kit includes a proprietary scripting language, along with support for C/C++ API, ActiveX and .Net API development environments. Solution providers can use the SDK to automate tasks or create tighter integration with existing security schemes. That functionality allows Cyber-Ark's product to fit into almost any business process. Beyond the basic vault technology, solution providers can offer secure gateway access to external users. The gateway is enabled by the Inter-Business Vault Gatewaysadd-on software elements that proxy specific portions of CIFS, HTTP and FTP traffic. In other words, a business can further share internal files and intranet access with external organizations without exposing potentially confidential information to external sources.

Cyber-Ark's products are designed to run on a Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 server. For security purposes, Cyber-Ark recommends that the Inter-Business Vault be the only software or service running on a server, which can be integrated into an existing network and set up with the appropriate security to allow the Cyber-Ark solution to access network-based data files and resources. The product could benefit from tighter integration with security schemes such as E-Directory, Active Directory and LDAP. A management plug-in for Microsoft Management Console would also make the product easier to administer in Microsoft server-based environments.

Cyber-Ark's single-level channel program offers in-person and Web-based sales and technical training and support. Support levels vary depending on an integrator's needs. Pre- and post-sales support, extensive marketing collateral and dedicated channel account representatives are also available. Cyber-Ark did not disclose average margin information. In lieu of a dedicated partner Web site, the company offers a dedicated safe within the Inter-Business Vault.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>InterBusiness Vault 2.5

COMPANY: Cyber-Ark Software, Inc.
Dedham, Mass
(888) 808-9005
www.cyber-ark.com
DISTRIBUTORS: FishNet Security, Foedus, GLESEC, Gotham Technology Group, Laurus Technologies, National Business Group, Nexum, Omega Network Services, Stenstrom Scientific, SynerComm, Dynanet, iGov.com, Intelligent Enterprise Solutions, Network Security Consulting, Northrop Grumman, The Presidio Corporation
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Note: Recommended status is earned with ascore of eight stars out of 10