Akonix updates its instant messaging security tools

New appliances from instant messaging security specialist Akonix offer improved monitoring and reporting

Instant messaging (IM) security specialist Akonix has launched a major new range of hardware and software, plus a new appliance operating system designed to offer greater protection against IM-based threats and increased manageability for IT administrators.

Akonix’s A6000 appliance offers enterprises protection from viruses and other IM threats and enforces policies for public and corporate IM clients, as well as supporting compliance initiatives by logging and archiving all communications. It supports “tens of thousands of users”, according to Akonix. The firm’s A1000 appliance, meanwhile, offers the same functionality for up to 1,000 users.

The appliances feature new capabilities to aid IT administrators manage patch downloads and audit downloaded packages, as well as monitoring IM activity and creating reports.

Both appliances run Akonix’s new purpose-built AkOS operating system, which bolsters security and performance, according to the firm’s chief executive Peter Shaw.

“We’re laser-focussed on just IM – providing the security, compliance and policy management for our customers’ use of IM in the enterprise,” Shaw said. “[Our] number one focus for the A6000 and A1000 was manageability and lowering costs.”

On the software side, version 5.1 of the Akonix L7 Enterprise suite, which is also newly available, includes a web-based user interface and IM Sentry, a new feature designed to monitor employee use of public IM clients, block unknown URLs and prevent the propagation of viruses.

The new product announcements are part of the firm’s push to create multi-tiered security for real-time communications, which it calls 360 degree security. Utilising over 20 applications this covers threat detection, protection and containment.

“Most customers take the whole solution and pick out the pieces they don’t want,” said Shaw. “It’s like a Swiss-army knife, with everything you need to [protect against IM threats].”