Bit9 Inc. said 7-Eleven has chosen its Bit9 Parity to protect its retail systems from malware, data leakage and unauthorized software, as well as ensure Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance.
Additionally, 7-Eleven is using Bit9 Parity to lock down and harden its corporate laptops, given that the retailer is in the midst of a laptop refresh project with Dell. The company is standardizing the hardware and software on laptops used by store support and office personnel.
7-Eleven plans to use Bit9 Parity to control the applications that are allowed to run on corporate laptops, which should reduce help desk calls and costs associated with "configuration drift" that arises when users intentionally or inadvertently download unauthorized software, according to Bit9.
7-Eleven is one of a growing number of retailers that are defining and enforcing the use of authorized applications to improve IT security, help demonstrate PCI compliance, lower the total cost of ownership and extend the life of existing systems.
“At 7-Eleven, we are committed to securing our corporate infrastructure as well as our in-store systems,” said Brian Cator, senior director of IT operations and customer care at 7-Eleven. “By locking down and securing our laptops and store systems with Bit9 Parity, we are able to enforce our company policies, implement a control for PCI DSS requirements and reduce the risk of known and unknown security vulnerabilities.”
Retail systems pose a serious security challenge for retailers – they are often targeted by hackers looking for sensitive and valuable customer credit card data. Most companies are unable to easily control what applications and devices can and cannot run on these machines, Bit9 said. Additionally, many retail systems are unable to easily receive antivirus updates and patches, or control portable storage devices, leaving systems open for the installation of unauthorized software or the copying of confidential information.
Bit9 said its solutions give IT professionals the ability to identify and decide which applications and devices are approved and appropriate to run, while also blocking any unauthorized software or storage devices. It eliminates the risks associated with all forms of unwanted software, including targeted attacks for which no signatures exist.
Some retail computer systems can’t handle the large signature files needed by antivirus and anti-malware solutions for scanning. By switching to white-listing, Bit9 lifts that burden by preventing immediate "forklift" hardware upgrades that can cost millions and allows retailers to leverage their existing systems for a longer period of time.
"7-Eleven is now able to more easily and efficiently maintain a more standard and secure in-store systems environment," said Tom Murphy, chief strategy officer at Bit9. "Bit9 Parity gives 7-Eleven the protection, compliance and control they need over their retail IT operations." Unlike reactive controls that scan and try to prevent the never-ending list of unauthorized software, Bit9 leverages the Bit9 Global Software Registry – the world’s largest database of software intelligence – to ensure only authorized applications can run, delivering the highest levels of desktop security, compliance and manageability.
Bit9’s customers are in industries such as retail, financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, telecommunications and government. The company, which is privately held, was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.
