Germany's SEH Technology has come up with a solution to providing secure network access to data on SD cards and USB portable media, the mySND-120 File Access Server.

The integrated SD card reader allows users to access, share and manage SD card data safely across the network. There is also a USB HiSpeed port for USB storage media.

IT administrators can create accounts with special rights and restrict access to certain files via HTTP(S) in order to maintain a high level of network security. Files on SD cards and USB sticks can also be sent via e-mail automatically and protected by many security features.
The mySND-120 File Access Server can be operated in all Ethernet networks, and is operating system independent. The device is available at a price of 295 Euro.

External portable storage devices, such as SD cards and USB sticks, can pose big challenges to IT administrators. Designed for local usage, such portable media, they entail either security risks or complicated workflows in professional networks. Many enterprises have security policies which restrict or prohibit their use.

In both desktop virtualisation and server-based computing structures it is difficult to use external storage devices like SD cards and USB sticks at all. However, there are specific application scenarios which require secure access to these media and safe transmission of the stored data to the network.

Using the mySND Control Center web interface, administrators create up to four accounts via HTTP(S) for each mySND-120 device. These accounts can have the following rights: "Rename/Delete File", "Save File", "Send File", "Set Archive Bit", and "E-mail File".

Moreover, administrators can create filters that define which user account may access certain file types (.jpg, .pdf etc.). Up to 16 users can access a mySND-120 File Access Server at a time. The mySND-120 File Browser is the user web interface for accessing files. It displays all permitted files on a storage medium for each user account.

mySND-120 can read the FAT12/16 or FAT32 storage format. If required, the device can also be used to format the medium. To ensure that only authorised SD cards are used, up to 16 SD cards can be linked to a user account. Users can only access SD cards which have been linked to them. This minimises the risk of importing malware into the network. Additional functions such as encryption, password protection, access control, and port deactivation provide further security.

Moreover, mySND-120 can automatically e-mail SD card and USB storage data if attached devices have a defined folder containing specified file types. Up to six file types can be defined for transmission.

If SD cards are used, there are two options for using automatic e-mail transmission: Either the files are sent to the users linked to the user account, or e-mail addresses are added manually. If USB sticks are used, up to two recipients can be defined. As soon as a file has been sent by e-mail, it will be marked by an archive bit to prevent another transmission.

The mySND-120 File Access Server has been tested by Sparkasse Krefeld, a German savings bank. The device significantly optimised the workflows in their real estate department, which is spread across about 60 branch offices. The mySND-120 made it possible for them to centrally manage all of their real estate photos and to create automated workflow processes, saving them both money and time.

"We benefit significantly from the greatly optimised workflows made possible by mySND-120, which allows us to manage users, files, and media. The product is going in the right direction," says Thorsten Mewes of Sparkasse Krefeld, who is responsible for operating the SEH devices.

"The ability to link specific SD cards to users allows for workflows that are independent from IT administration. Automated actions such as e-mail sending take care of everything and this relieves our IT administrators," states Dirk Oberem, Director IT Service.
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