Guardian Angel Linux in the Enterprise

Guardian Angel Linux Simplifies Workspace Management!

G.A.L. simplifies workspace management by encapsulating the entire work environment (Operating System, Applications, etc.) into a "portable image". The image can be brought from computer to computer and since everything is included, this simplifies the Hardware Platform requirements. For the IT team, this simplifies the provisioning of computer resources- they can even use Virtual Machines. For the user, utilizing their personal environment is as easy as booting from the G.A.L. image.

Customer Challenges

Managing remote resources is a major concern for enterprise managers since there is a growing mobile and geographically dispersed workforce. Choosing a flexible, functional, and up-to-date deployable solution that a road warrior, remote contractor, and @home employee can use and still remain secure and abide by corporate security policies, is a constant challenge.

For end-users, the problem of moving between computers exposes them to loss of productivity since they have to utilize different resources and remember to shuttle or transfer their data. Updates or resource installations can also cause loss of productivity since users are not familiar with, or privileged to, perform these type of activities.

The Guardian Angel Linux Solution

G.A.L.'s single deployable image solves many problems, by supplying a small up-to-date framework that can be dynamically augmented or immediately redeployed within a G.A.L. image- a portable storage medium such as a Flash drive. This work environment encapsulation eliminates the need for specific resource provisioning since the G.A.L. image can run on any PC and even a Virtual Machine such as VMWareTM or Virtual BoxTM.

All of the user's work environment, including the operating system, the applications, their data, and their custom configuration settings are all encapsulated securely within their G.A.L. image eliminating the need for installing any software on the host computer. It also removes all the unnecessary time it takes to maintain remote installations. A user can synchronize all of their data changes with a secure data server. Since instant restoration is now possible to any available system or Virtual System, loss of data AND system failures are a concern of the past.

The drop-in module capability of G.A.L. allows for immediate functionality augmentation, hence eliminating the need for costly loss in productivity when employees try to resolve problems and install software on their own.

The IT industry is moving to a sever-centric architecture to address the high cost of maintaining infrastructure, computer systems, their power and H/VAC requirements, and continual rapid upgrades. By utilizing low cost client systems and clustered server farms, better resource management provisioning can be done. The use of Virtual Machines is becoming common place to address Business Continuance concerns, Disaster Recovery, and resource management as well. A solution which fits and grows into the IT future architectural road map is highly desirable. Guardian Angel Linux is a solution that can address these concerns today!

Solution Benefits Summary

Guardian Angel Linux greatly improves desktop management by:

  1. Providing a truly complete encapsulated secure workspace environment including applications, data, and configuration.
  2. Eliminating the need for resource provisioning.
  3. Providing a mobile solution that can run on low-cost workstations or virtual machines.
  4. Allowing the drop-in module capability of G.A.L. allows for immediate functionality augmentation.
  5. Synchronizing all data changes with a secure data server, loss of data AND system failures are a concern of the past.
  6. Restoring or replicating instantly of a user's computer environment is now possible to any available system or Virtual System.

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Guardian Angel Linux Secures the Enterprise Desktop

G.A.L. simplifies Securing Desktop Environments since it is a total self-contained workspace. All settings can be stored on a centralized system to allow secure mobility of the workforce. Since G.A.L. is designed to be secure, it covers all the security architectures- VPN, encrypted containers, secure VoIP, private and anonymous surfing, secure e-mail and Instant messaging, and secure teleconferencing.

Customer Challenges

Corporations wish to cut costs of resource management. Increasingly, corporate goals have been to access corporate resources from unsecured locations so their work force can be geographically situated. Several examples include consultants and contractors using their company furnished equipment; corporate road warriors using unsecured resources such as hotel business centers, Internet cafes, public WiFi access points, and public kiosks; and employees working from home computers. Use in these types of environments increase the risk and amount of threats to corporate connections. Risk of data loss through asset loss or theft and digital ease-dropping are of great concern to corporations, since corporate secrets can be compromised and competitive advantage can be severely reduced.

The Guardian Angel Linux Solution

Guardian Angel Linux's single deployable image solves many problems, by supplying a completely encapsulated work environment that is specialized in securing the user's workspace. The image can run on any Intel -based platform whether physical or virtual.

All of the user's work environment, including the operating system, the applications, their data, and their custom configuration settings are all encapsulated securely within their G.A.L. image eliminating the need for installing any software on the host computer. A user can synchronize all of their data changes with a secure data server. Since instant restoration is now possible to any available system or virtual system, loss of data AND system failures are a concern of the past.

Finally, the drop-in module capability of G.A.L. allows for immediate functionality augmentation and that allows any specific technology that is needed for specialized or specific situations can be installed easily.

Solution Benefits Summary

G.A.L.'s secures the enterprise desktop by providing:

  1. A private, and secure mobile work environment that allows users to be productive on any Intel-based machine or virtual machine.
  2. A secure work environment that does not rely on any host installed software.
  3. A simplified backup and recovery strategy that saves time and money while increasing a user's productivity.

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Guardian Angel Linux Brings Business Continuity to the Enterprise Desktop

Disasters and terrorist attacks are just two extreme cases of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuance scenario's. Businesses need not have such a disaster to be extremely adversely affected. Fires, floods, and system crashes are problems that are just as dangerous to a business' ability to stay operational.

Unfortunately, much effort is usually focused on preserving core data of an organization and very little effort on enabling employees to continue to work outside the organization's site. G.A.L.'s mobility allows you to bring your entire work environment with you to any Intel-based PC or virtual system. Your applications, your IM clients, your e-mail, your documents, etc. are ready for you after you boot up on any available computer. Connect to your business LAN from where ever there is an Internet connection. It's the same environment where ever you go so there is no need to relearn anything. When you are finished with your work, you just shutdown and remove the G.A.L. device and all your documents, your surfing history, your bookmarks... EVERYTHING comes with you. Nothing is ever left behind on the computer you are using.

Customer Challenges

There are many factors that contribute to work stoppage and worker productivity reduction at the desktop on a day to day basis. Throw in the added stress and time crunch of a Disaster Recovery or Business Continuance scenario, and that makes for a recipe for failure. When a work environment is tightly coupled to a specific platform, productivity is reduced dramatically since that same type of hardware must be found for business continuance when there is failed or destroyed hardware. Even just hardware and software upgrades can have a dramatic impact on end users especially if there is a need for relearning applications.

Data loss is one of a companies worst types of asset losses. When a company has mobile users, the chance for data loss or data compromise is much higher and costlier.

Compatibility and Interoperability are extremely important to Business Continuance. Work most likely needs to be shared with others, such as consultants, contractors, and customers. File formats, multimedia codecs and application compatibility and interoperability are extremely important.

Finding a solution to allow Business Continuance during times of distress as well as day-to-day events is key. A solution that gives you the flexibility to work, no matter where, under as many adverse situations as possible, will show maximum benefit to the bottom line.

The Guardian Angel Linux Solution

Mobility and Flexibility

Guardian Angel Linux allows you to bring your entire work environment with you to any Intel based PC or virtual system. G.A.L.'s single deployable image solves many problems, by supplying a small up-to-date framework that can be dynamically augmented or immediately redeployed within a G.A.L. image- a portable storage medium such as a Flash drive. This work environment encapsulation eliminates the need for specific resource provisioning since the G.A.L. image can run on any PC and even a virtual machine such as VMWareTM or Virtual BoxTM.

All of the user's work environment, including the operating system, the applications, their data, and their custom configuration settings are all encapsulated securely within their G.A.L. image eliminating the need for installing any software on the host computer.

When you are finished with your work, you just shutdown and remove the G.A.L. device and all your documents, your surfing history, your bookmarks... EVERYTHING comes with you. Nothing is ever left behind on the computer you are using. That's what we call a zero foot print architecture.

Security and Data Protection

Even if your G.A.L. drive was stolen or lost, you can feel assured that the data saved in the encrypted containers are being protected by military grade encryption technology. A user can synchronize all of their data changes with a secure data server. Since instant restoration is now possible to any available system or virtual system, loss of data AND system failures are a concern of the past.

Compatibility and Interoperability

Since your work most likely needs to be shared with others, Silicon Safari chose to focus not only on compatibility of file formats and codecs but application compatibility and interoperability as well. The O.S.S. resources that have been chosen to be included with G.A.L. have counterparts on other platforms such as Apple Macintosh OS XTM or Microsoft WindowsTM.

Upgradeable

Keeping on top of security issues is extremely important so your security products must be upgradeable otherwise they become useless. Any security product is only as good as its effectiveness and outdated software is not effective. The concern with upgradeable security systems is the chance for compromising the upgrade. S.S.I. has digitally signed and MD5 checksummed each of the supplied modules and files.

G.A.L.'s single deployable encapsulated image also removes all the unnecessary time it takes to maintain and upgrade installations. Upgrading Software Modules for enhancing capabilities is also a snap. All that is needed is replacement of the old module with the new. Upgrading G.A.L. for adding new capabilities is as simple as downloading a new software module.

The drop-in module capability of G.A.L. allows for immediate functionality augmentation, hence eliminating the need for costly loss in productivity when employees try to resolve problems and install software on their own.

Solution Benefits

Guardian Angel Linux greatly improves business continuity by providing:

  1. Mobility and Flexibility - by allowing you to bring your entire work environment with you on a USB storage device to any Intel based PC or virtual system, eliminates the need for specific resource provisioning.
  2. A familiar work environment - from whatever geographical location you need to work from.
  3. A secure mobile work environment - When you are finished with your work, you just shutdown and remove the G.A.L. device and all your documents, your surfing history, your bookmarks... EVERYTHING comes with you. Nothing is ever left behind on the computer you are using.
  4. Security - encrypted containers, protected by military grade encryption technology, guards your data against loss or theft.
  5. Data Protection - data synchronization of data containers allows instant restoration.
  6. Compatibility and Interoperability - interoperable file formats, codecs, and application compatibility with other platforms such as Apple Macintosh OS X or Microsoft Windows.
  7. Upgradeable - keeping up to date with security patches and allowing functionality augmentation.

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