Secure Your Future: Why Egress Secure Workspace Customers Should Transition to Kiteworks

Egress Customers Should Make the Switch to Kiteworks

Secure file sharing is not just a luxury—it is a necessity. As businesses increasingly rely on digital communications and collaboration, the need for robust, reliable, and secure file sharing solutions has never been more critical. This is especially true in the wake of recent high-profile data breaches and evolving compliance requirements.

For many organisations, Egress Secure Workspace has been a go-to solution for secure file sharing. However, the recent acquisition of Egress by KnowBe4 introduced a new layer of uncertainty for users. This development has prompted many to reevaluate their secure file sharing strategy and consider alternatives that offer greater stability, advanced features, and a dedicated focus on secure content communications.

Enter Kiteworks, a leader in secure content communications. With a platform designed from the ground up with security and compliance in mind, Kiteworks offers a compelling alternative for organisations looking to future-proof their file sharing capabilities.

This blog post explores why Egress customers should consider making the switch to Kiteworks. We’ll delve into the uncertainties surrounding the Egress acquisition, compare the core offerings of both platforms, and highlight the advanced security features and compliance capabilities that set Kiteworks apart. By the end of this post, you will have a clear understanding of how Kiteworks can address your secure file sharing needs more effectively and why it’s the smart choice for organisations prioritising data security and compliance in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Uncertainty Post-acquisition of Egress

The recent acquisition of Egress by KnowBe4 has sent ripples through the secure file sharing market, leaving many Egress Secure Workspace customers in a state of uncertainty. While acquisitions can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, they often bring significant changes that may not align with existing customers’ needs and expectations.

Shifting Focus and Priorities for Egress

KnowBe4, primarily known for its security awareness training platform, may have different strategic priorities than Egress. This shift in focus could potentially impact the development roadmap of Egress Secure Workspace. There is a risk that the file sharing solution might become a secondary offering, receiving less attention and resources compared to KnowBe4’s core products.

Support and Integration Concerns Over Egress

Another area of uncertainty lies in the future of customer support and integration capabilities. Will the same level of dedicated support be maintained? How will the integration of Egress into KnowBe4’s ecosystem affect existing integrations and partnerships? These questions remain unanswered, leaving customers in a precarious position.

Potential Risks for Egress Secure Workspace Users

The continued use of Egress Secure Workspace in this uncertain environment poses several risks:

1. Stagnation in Feature Development: The product may see slower development of new features or enhancements, potentially falling behind competitors in functionality and security capabilities.
2. Compatibility Issues: Changes in the platform to align with KnowBe4’s offerings might lead to compatibility issues with existing systems and workflows.
3. Compliance Concerns: Any shifts in the product’s security features or compliance certifications could impact organisations’ ability to meet regulatory requirements.
4. Long-term Viability: There’s always the possibility that KnowBe4 might eventually phase out or significantly alter Egress Secure Workspace to align with their core business strategy.

Given these uncertainties, it is crucial for organisations to reevaluate their secure file sharing strategy. As we’ll explore in the following sections, transitioning to a dedicated secure file sharing platform like Kiteworks can provide the stability, advanced features, and peace of mind that businesses need in today’s complex digital landscape.

Core Business Focus on Secure File Sharing

Having a partner solely dedicated to secure file sharing can make all the difference. This is where Kiteworks stands out from the competition, including Egress Secure Workspace.

Kiteworks: Committed to Secure Content Communications

Kiteworks has built its reputation on being a leader in secure content communications, with secure file sharing at the heart of its offerings. This singular focus allows Kiteworks to channel all its resources, expertise, and innovation into developing and maintaining a best-in-class secure file sharing platform.

Per Kiteworks 2024 Sensitive Content Communications Privacy and Compliance Report, 56% of organisations cite preventing leakage of confidential IP and corporate secrets as a top driver for unifying and securing sensitive content communications. Kiteworks’ dedicated approach directly addresses this critical need.

Egress: File Sharing as a Secondary Offering

In contrast, Egress has traditionally focused on email security, with secure file sharing being a secondary offering. Now, as part of KnowBe4, the emphasis may shift even further away from file sharing toward security awareness training. This dilution of focus could potentially lead to slower innovation and less responsive support for file sharing features.

Benefits of Choosing a Dedicated Secure File Sharing Platform

Opting for a platform like Kiteworks that specialises in secure file sharing offers several advantages:

1. Faster Innovation: With all resources dedicated to file sharing, new features and security enhancements are developed and rolled out more quickly.
2. Deeper Expertise: Specialisation leads to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of secure file sharing.
3. Better Support: A focused team can provide more knowledgeable and responsive support for file sharing-specific issues.
4. Comprehensive Solution: Instead of being an add-on feature, secure file sharing is a fully fledged, robust solution with Kiteworks.
5. Alignment With Business Needs: As secure file sharing evolves, a dedicated platform is better positioned to adapt quickly to changing business requirements and security landscapes.

By choosing Kiteworks, organisations ensure they’re partnering with a company that lives and breathes secure file sharing, providing the attention, innovation, and expertise needed to protect sensitive data in today’s complex digital environment.

Advanced Security Features of Kiteworks

Advanced security features are not just nice-to-haves—they are essential. Kiteworks offers a robust set of security capabilities that set it apart from competitors like Egress Secure Workspace. Let’s delve into some of the key security features that make Kiteworks a superior choice for organisations prioritising data protection.

Granular Access Controls of Kiteworks

One of Kiteworks’ standout features is its granular access control system, which provides organisations with unprecedented control over their sensitive data.

SafeEDIT Digital Rights Management (DRM)

At the heart of Kiteworks’ access control system is SafeEDIT, an advanced digital rights management (DRM) solution. SafeEDIT empowers organisations to securely manage sensitive documents by enabling authorised external parties to edit any file type naturally in their standard browser without plugins, while ensuring that the content never leaves the Kiteworks secure enclave. This is achieved by streaming an editable, zero-latency video rendition of the application user interface securely to the authorised user, with the Kiteworks server managing access controls, virtual desktops, and file versions.

SafeEDIT enhances productivity and security by allowing secure copy/paste within an application, separately from the user’s desktop operating system. This ensures that content cannot escape the document while maintaining the productivity benefits of copy/paste during the editing process. Furthermore, centralised authorisation maintains control over documents even when employees leave, reducing the risk associated with departing staff.

In addition, SafeEDIT provides a comprehensive audit log that tracks all user activity for business operations and compliance logging. This ensures a single version of the truth by managing document versions centrally in the Kiteworks repository. These capabilities collectively ensure that sensitive data remains protected, even after it leaves your organisation’s immediate control, and provide a seamless, secure, and productive collaboration experience.

Enhanced Security, Privacy, and Compliance Benefits of Kiteworks

The granular access controls provided by Kiteworks offer several key benefits:

1. Improved Data Security: By controlling exactly who can access what data and how they can use it, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches.
2. Enhanced Privacy: Granular controls allow organisations to adhere to privacy regulations by ensuring that personal data is only accessed by authorised individuals.
3. Simplified Compliance: With the ability to set and enforce access policies, organisations can more easily comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA.

The Kiteworks annual survey found that 48% of organisations cite avoiding regulatory violations as a top driver for securing sensitive content communications. Kiteworks’ granular access controls directly address this concern.

Kiteworks Is Protected With a Hardened Virtual Appliance

Kiteworks’ secure file sharing solution is delivered via a hardened virtual appliance, providing an additional layer of security that goes beyond what many competitors offer.

Built-in Security Features

The Kiteworks virtual appliance includes:

• A built-in network firewall to control incoming and outgoing traffic
• A web application firewall (WAF) to protect against web-based attacks
• Intrusion detection capabilities to identify potential security threats
• Strong encryption for data both in transit and at rest

These features work together to create a robust security perimeter around your sensitive data.

While Egress Secure Workspace offers some security features, it doesn’t provide the same level of comprehensive, built-in protection as Kiteworks. The hardened virtual appliance approach offers a more secure and controlled environment for file sharing activities.

Comprehensive Audit Logs With Kiteworks

Visibility is paramount for data security. Kiteworks recognises this critical need and provides comprehensive audit logging capabilities that surpass those of many competitors, including Egress Secure Workspace.

Kiteworks offers unified logging across all components of its platform, creating a holistic view of your organisation’s secure file sharing activities. This unified approach encompasses file transfers, user activities, system events, and security incidents, ensuring that organisations have a complete and detailed view of all activities related to their sensitive data.

Kiteworks’ audit logs capture granular details about each action taken within the system. For file transfers, this includes information such as the sender, recipient, file name, file size, transfer time, and whether the transfer was successful. User activities are meticulously recorded, tracking logins, logout times, password changes, and permission modifications. System events, such as configuration changes, updates, and restarts, are also logged to provide a clear picture of the platform’s operational status.

Crucially, Kiteworks’ audit logs also capture security-related incidents, such as failed login attempts, unauthorised access attempts, and potential data exfiltration events. This comprehensive logging is instrumental in detecting and investigating potential security breaches.

The audit logs are designed with both security and compliance in mind. They are tamper-evident, meaning any attempt to alter the logs will be detected, ensuring the integrity of your audit trail. The logs are also easily searchable and can be exported in various formats, facilitating quick analysis and reporting.

Kiteworks’ audit logging capabilities offer several key benefits:

1. Enhanced Compliance: Detailed logs make it easier to demonstrate compliance with various regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA. This is particularly crucial given that 62% of organisations spend over 1,500 staff hours annually compiling and reconciling logs for compliance reporting.
2. Improved Security: Comprehensive logs allow for quicker detection and investigation of potential security incidents, reducing the time to respond to threats.
3. Efficient Troubleshooting: Detailed activity logs can help identify and resolve issues more efficiently, minimising downtime and improving overall system performance.
4. Greater Visibility: Organisations gain a clear view of how their data is being accessed and used, enabling better decision-making around data governance and security policies.
5. Robust Reporting: Rich log data enables the creation of detailed reports for management, auditors, and other stakeholders, providing insights into system usage, security posture, and compliance status.

By providing these comprehensive audit logging capabilities, Kiteworks offers a level of visibility and control that goes beyond what Egress Secure Workspace and many other competitors can provide. For organisations serious about protecting their sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance, these advanced logging features make Kiteworks a compelling choice in the secure file sharing landscape.

Benefits of Comprehensive Audit Logs

The robust audit logging capabilities of Kiteworks offer several key benefits:

1. Compliance: Kiteworks’ comprehensive audit logs provide detailed records of all activities, making it easier for organisations to demonstrate compliance with various regulations. This is a significant advantage, as it can reduce the time and resources spent on compiling and reconciling logs for compliance reporting. The system also allows for report generation and export, which can be used in compliance audits.
2. Security: The robust logging capabilities of Kiteworks enable quicker detection and investigation of potential security incidents. The system provides security teams with timely visibility into activities that help them hunt for threats, identify signatures of well-known attacks, mitigate attacks in progress, and perform forensics after an attack.
3. Troubleshooting: Detailed activity logs provided by Kiteworks can help identify and resolve issues more efficiently. The system does not throttle the volume of logging messages, ensuring all log messages are captured in full of all original logging data. This can be particularly useful during surges of activity when issues may arise.
4. Visibility: Kiteworks offers organisations a clear view of how their data is being accessed and used. The system provides unified visibility across all communication channels and system services. End-users can track all views, downloads, uploads, and edits, providing a clear picture of data usage.
5. Reporting: The rich log data provided by Kiteworks enables the creation of detailed reports for management and auditors. Administrative reporting of all activities is possible, and the data is filterable and searchable. This makes it easier to generate specific reports as needed.

By providing these advanced security features, Kiteworks offers a level of protection and control that goes beyond what Egress Secure Workspace and many other competitors can provide. For organisations serious about protecting their sensitive data, these features make Kiteworks a compelling choice.

Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Compliance With Kiteworks

Compliance is not just about avoiding fines; it is a crucial aspect of data security and risk management. As regulatory requirements become increasingly complex and stringent, organisations need a secure file sharing solution that can keep pace with evolving compliance needs.

Critical Role of Compliance in Data Security

Compliance regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA are designed to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy. They set standards for how data should be handled, stored, and shared. Failing to meet these standards can result in severe consequences:

1. Financial penalties
2. Reputational damage
3. Loss of customer trust
4. Legal liabilities
5. Ongoing litigation costs

The Kiteworks annual study found that 48% of organisations cite avoiding regulatory violations as a top driver for securing sensitive content communications. This underscores the critical importance of compliance in today’s business environment.

Kiteworks’ Adherence to Industry-specific Regulations

Kiteworks is designed with compliance at its core, adhering to a wide range of industry-specific regulations:

1. HIPAA: Kiteworks provides the necessary safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI).
2. GDPR: The platform offers features like data minimisation, consent management, and the right to be forgotten.
3. CCPA: Kiteworks supports the consumer rights mandated by the California Consumer Privacy Act and a host of other U.S. state data privacy laws that have been recently passed.
4. CMMC 2.0: For defence contractors, Kiteworks aligns with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements.

Kiteworks also maintains various security certifications, including SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the highest security standards.

Mitigating Risks in a Post-acquisition Scenario

In the wake of Egress’ acquisition by KnowBe4, users of Egress Secure Workspace face a landscape of uncertainty. In contrast, Kiteworks offers a stable, compliance-focused solution that effectively mitigates several key risks associated with this post-acquisition scenario:

1. Regulatory Risk: The ever-evolving nature of data protection regulations presents a significant challenge for organisations. Kiteworks addresses this through its comprehensive compliance features. The platform is designed with a flexible compliance framework that can quickly adapt to new regulatory requirements. For instance, when GDPR came into effect, Kiteworks was among the first to offer features like data minimisation and the right to be forgotten. This proactive approach to compliance reduces the risk of noncompliance penalties and reputational damage, even as the regulatory landscape continues to shift.

2. Data Breach Risk: In an era where data breaches can cost organisations millions of dollars and irreparable damage to their reputation, Kiteworks’ advanced security features provide a robust defence. The platform’s granular access controls allow organisations to implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the data they need. Furthermore, Kiteworks employs end-to-end encryption for data in transit and at rest, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised access. The platform also offers features like multi-factor authentication and detailed audit logs, which help in early detection and mitigation of potential security incidents.

3. Vendor Lock-in Risk: When a smaller company is acquired by a larger one, there’s always a risk that the acquiring company may alter the product roadmap or even discontinue certain offerings. As an independent, focused solution, Kiteworks isn’t subject to these risks. The platform is built on open standards and offers extensive APIs, making it easier for organisations to integrate Kiteworks with their existing systems and to migrate data if needed. This flexibility ensures that organisations aren’t locked into a single vendor and can maintain control over their data and processes.

4. Obsolescence Risk: In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, staying current is crucial. Kiteworks mitigates the risk of obsolescence through continuous updates and improvements. The company invests heavily in research and development, regularly releasing new features and security enhancements. For example, Kiteworks has recently incorporated AI-driven threat detection capabilities, demonstrating its commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats. Moreover, Kiteworks’ cloud-native architecture allows for seamless updates without disrupting operations, ensuring that organisations always have access to the latest security features and compliance capabilities.

5. Support and Service Risk: Post-acquisition scenarios often lead to changes in support structures and service quality. Kiteworks, with its dedicated focus on secure file sharing, maintains a high level of specialised support. The company offers 24/7 customer support, regular training sessions, and a wealth of resources to ensure that organisations can fully leverage the platform’s capabilities. This focused approach contrasts with the potential for diluted support in a larger, diversified company.

6. Integration Risk: As organisations increasingly rely on interconnected systems, the risk of integration issues post-acquisition is significant. Kiteworks mitigates this risk by offering a wide range of pre-built integrations and robust APIs. Whether it’s connecting to existing DLP systems, SIEM tools, or custom applications, Kiteworks provides the flexibility to maintain and enhance existing workflows.

By choosing Kiteworks, organisations can confidently navigate the complex world of data security and compliance. They gain a partner dedicated to mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory adherence, free from the uncertainties that often accompany corporate acquisitions. In a landscape where data protection is paramount, Kiteworks offers the stability, focus, and innovation needed to stay ahead of evolving threats and regulatory requirements.

Future Proofing Your Secure File Sharing Strategy

Staying ahead of threats and technological advancements is crucial. Kiteworks is committed to future proofing your secure file sharing strategy through continuous innovation and a proactive approach to security.

Continuous Innovation and Enhancement

Kiteworks maintains a robust roadmap for enhancing its secure file sharing capabilities. This includes:

• Regular feature updates to address emerging business needs
• Integration of cutting-edge security technologies
• Adaptation to new compliance requirements as they arise

For example, Kiteworks has been quick to incorporate AI-driven threat detection and response capabilities, staying ahead of the curve in cybersecurity innovation.

Proactive Security Measures and Long-term Commitment

Kiteworks stands out in the secure file sharing landscape not only for its current capabilities but also for its proactive approach to security and long-term commitment to innovation. This forward-thinking strategy ensures that organisations using Kiteworks are well-positioned to face evolving security challenges and regulatory requirements.

At the heart of Kiteworks’ proactive security measures is its vulnerability bounty programme. By inviting ethical hackers to identify potential security weaknesses, Kiteworks leverages a crowdsourced approach to security testing. This strategy helps uncover and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors, adding an extra layer of security beyond traditional in-house testing methods.

Complementing this bounty programme, Kiteworks also conducts regular penetration testing through independent security firms. These tests simulate real-world attack scenarios, ensuring that the platform can withstand sophisticated cyber threats. By subjecting its systems to these rigorous tests, Kiteworks continually refines and strengthens its security posture.

The company’s commitment to security extends to its update process as well. Kiteworks provides seamless, one-click appliance updates, ensuring that all security fixes and feature enhancements are quickly and easily deployed. This approach minimises the window of vulnerability and reduces the administrative burden on IT teams, allowing organisations to stay current with the latest security measures without disrupting their operations.

Unlike solutions that may face an uncertain future due to acquisitions or shifting corporate priorities, Kiteworks demonstrates a steadfast commitment to secure file sharing. This commitment is evident in the company’s consistent investment in research and development, regular release of new features and security enhancements, and ongoing expansion of compliance certifications and capabilities.

Kiteworks’ dedication to innovation ensures that its platform evolves in tandem with the changing security landscape. Whether it’s incorporating emerging technologies like AI-driven threat detection or adapting to new compliance requirements, Kiteworks stays at the forefront of secure file sharing solutions.

By choosing Kiteworks, organisations invest in a future-proof secure file sharing strategy that will continue to evolve and adapt to meet tomorrow’s security challenges. This forward-thinking approach ensures that sensitive data remains protected, compliant, and accessible, regardless of how the threat landscape or regulatory environment may change. In an era where data security is paramount, Kiteworks offers not just a solution for today but also a partner for the long-term security journey ahead.

Secure Your File Sharing Future With Kiteworks

As the digital landscape evolves, so too must our approach to secure file sharing. The acquisition of Egress by KnowBe4 has introduced uncertainties that Egress Secure Workspace users cannot afford to ignore. Kiteworks emerges as a compelling alternative, offering advanced security features, comprehensive compliance capabilities, and a dedicated focus on secure content communications.

With its proactive security measures, seamless migration support, and long-term commitment to innovation, Kiteworks provides a stable and future-proof solution for organisations serious about data protection. Don’t let uncertainty compromise your security posture. Take the first step toward a more secure future; contact Kiteworks today to explore how our platform can elevate your secure file sharing capabilities and provide the peace of mind your organisation deserves.

Additional Resources

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