New KBOX Systems Management Appliance Automates Patch Management and Limits Exposure to Security Vulnerabilities...

Reading, UK 3rd February 2009 KACE, the leading systems management appliance company, today announced the immediate availability of its latest KBOX Systems Management Appliance. The industry s first appliance to offer integrated security and systems management now adds best-in-class vulnerability assessment and remediation to KBOX s award-winning systems management capabilities.

According to industry analyst firm Gartner, Inc., convergence of desktop security and PC life cycle technology is inevitable specifically in the patch management arena where responsibility is increasingly moving from security specialists to general operations teams Security and Operations: Convergence and Segregation, October 17, 2008 . KACE, with its new KBOX Systems Management Appliance release, is once again ahead of the innovation curve by delivering to its customers market-leading PC and server management capabilities, while also providing automated vulnerability discovery, remediation, and best-of-breed patch management capabilities, leading to better business protection and drastically reduced exposure to security threats.

KACE appliances combine two of the most important aspects of IT operations desktop management and security offering organisations what they need to preserve operational integrity, said Marty Kacin, president, CTO, and co-founder of KACE. Our KBOX technology is unique in its approach, offering industry-leading ease-of-use and flexibility features to address vulnerabilities across a wide range of operating systems and applications, ensuring all avenues of attack are safely blocked.
Some of the new capabilities of the new KBOX Systems Management Appliance include:
Convergence of systems and security policy management that maximises end-point security coverage;
Best-of-breed patch management for all leading operating systems and applications, extending coverage in areas such as Windows OS, Mac OS, Microsoft applications, non-Microsoft applications, and anti-virus updates;
Automated security configuration policy enforcement for patch updates;
New enhanced remote office support via remote replication of software, scripts, and patches so that systems are protected regardless of where they are located.

Also included in this new appliance release is the industry-leading patch and vulnerability management technology from Lumension , formerly PatchLink Corporation , providing customers with enterprise-class patching and remediation capabilities seamlessly integrated into the easy-to-use KBOX appliance.

In an environment where the majority of software exposures are now introduced via user applications, a business must mitigate risk across a variety of attack vectors, said Pat Clawson, chairman and CEO of Lumension. KACE s turn-key appliance-based approach, marrying IT policy management techniques with Lumension s award-winning patch and remediation technology, which include access to the world s largest repository of content, extends security coverage and breadth. This combination allows customers to benefit from leveraging the industry s broadest range of validated patching content. As a result, KBOX represents a unique solution, enabling customers to be successful in protecting their company s operations and most valuable electronic assets.

KACE saves its customers both time and money. Systems managers from medium-sized enterprises are often forced to wear many hats throughout the day to work on a myriad of IT functions. KACE helps consolidate these functions by providing a single appliance for all projects, while delivering easy-to-use, comprehensive systems management that is affordable. The KBOX family of appliances fulfills all of the systems management needs of a medium enterprise, from initial computer deployment to ongoing management and retirement.