Venn Unveils Secure Enclave Tech To Control Remote Work Computers
Venn Software Revolutionizes Remote Work Security with Secure Enclaves
For years, companies have used Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to manage employee phones, but controlling workforce PCs—especially for remote work—has been a challenge. Venn Software, a company focused on securing remote work environments, is changing that with a patented technology that creates a secure enclave on any computer. This application provides a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to traditional Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
What is Venn’s Secure Enclave Technology?
Venn’s technology involves installing a lightweight application on a user’s computer that creates a secure enclave for business activities. Within this enclave, all work-related tasks and data are encrypted, and company access is managed, ensuring security without the need to overhaul the entire laptop. The user interacts with work applications in a seamless environment where data security is the top priority.
Unlike VDI systems, which often frustrate users due to poor performance and latency, Venn allows employees to use their own computers, improving employee experience and providing greater flexibility for businesses.
Key Features of Venn’s Secure Enclave Technology:
- Data Encryption: All work-related data inside the enclave is encrypted, providing a high level of security.
- Local Work Applications: Instead of being forced into a laggy virtual desktop, applications run locally within the secure enclave.
- Personal & Work Separation: Work activities are isolated from personal use on the same device, ensuring that corporate data remains secure.
Addressing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Pain Points
VDI systems, though effective for centralizing control over remote work environments, have long suffered from poor performance, particularly with tasks like copying and pasting, which leads employees to bypass the system and use personal devices or third-party tools. This frustration can create security risks and employee dissatisfaction. Venn’s solution bypasses these problems by offering a lightweight, non-latency platform where remote work is efficient and secure.
Financial Backing and Growth
Venn recently announced $29 million in Series A funding, led by NewSpring, which will support the company’s product development and market expansion. The company’s solution emerged in response to the challenges posed by a distributed workforce, a trend that was significantly accelerated by the pandemic.
Hart Callahan, Partner at NewSpring, highlighted that Venn’s approach addresses the shortcomings of traditional VDI, which struggles to meet the needs of modern, remote workers.
Benefits of Venn’s Secure Enclave
- Performance: The Venn software is designed to offer smooth, latency-free user experiences compared to traditional VDI setups, which can often slow down productivity.
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Employees can use their personal devices, and companies can ensure data security without issuing dedicated laptops.
- Simplified Offboarding: Venn allows companies to quickly wipe data from a device when an employee leaves, minimizing the risks associated with employee turnover.
Security Challenges with Remote PCs
Remote PCs and laptops present unique security challenges, especially in terms of continuous visibility and real-time threat management. Shawn Surber, Senior Director at Tanium, emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and real-time threat management tools to manage security risks in a remote work environment. Venn addresses this need by offering constant protection within its secure enclave, ensuring that business activities are always safeguarded.
Market Competitors: MDM vs. Venn
Venn’s offering aims to fill a gap between traditional MDM solutions, which primarily manage mobile devices, and the broader PC management solutions that have evolved over time. Many modern MDM solutions have become unified endpoint management platforms, capable of handling both mobile devices and PCs used by remote workers. However, Paddy Harrington from Forrester Research notes that Venn’s approach, while innovative, may not be a complete departure from existing tools, as unified endpoint management platforms already cover many of the functions Venn provides.
Furthermore, tools like Microsoft’s Group Policy and PowerShell have long been used to manage PC security risks, making Venn’s solution one of many options for managing remote work.
Conclusion
Venn’s patented secure enclave technology presents a promising alternative to VDI for managing remote work security. By focusing on a lightweight, user-friendly application that ensures data security and separation of personal and work activities, Venn is set to transform how organizations secure remote work on employee-owned PCs. With real-time security and the ability to quickly offboard employees, Venn offers a simpler, more efficient solution for companies facing the challenges of remote work security.
