Cisco on Thursday announced the availability of Security Connector, an iOS application designed to provide organizations visibility and control for mobile devices running Apple’s operating system.
Security Connector for iOS, the result of a partnership between Apple and Cisco, is an application that combines functionality from the Cisco Umbrella secure internet gateway and the Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) endpoint security product, specifically its Clarity component.
Enterprises can download the application from the Apple App Store – the app itself is free but requires a license from Cisco – and deploy it on devices running iOS 11 via mobile device management (MDM) solutions such as Cisco’s Meraki Systems Manager. Once installed, the app provides deep visibility to ensure compliance, establish risk exposure, and aid incident response.
Cisco Security Connector also offers control over iPhones and iPads to ensure that their users cannot connect to malicious website, regardless of whether they are using the corporate network, their own cellular data plan, or public Wi-Fi connections. Cisco claims the product has no impact on employees’ mobile experience.
The new product leverages the Network Extension Framework in iOS 11, which exposes APIs that give developers the ability to customize network features, to enable organizations to monitor and control DNS traffic and provide insight into traffic generated by users, apps and devices.
Several Cisco customers have already tested Security Connector and the networking giant has described a scenario in the healthcare sector to show its potential usefulness.
“Ransomware and malware are spreading across the Internet and increasingly targeting mobile devices. Together with Apple, we are helping enterprises become the most connected, collaborative, and secure businesses in the world,” said David Ulevitch, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Security Business Group. “With this app, we want to provide businesses with tools to meet their security, risk, and compliance requirements.”
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