RES Software Lands Role In Department Of Homeland Security's Threat Protection Program

RES Software, a vendor in the user environment management (UEM) space, said Thursday that its technology is part of the Department Of Homeland Security's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program, which seeks to defend federal government IT networks from security threats.

Booz Allen Hamilton, the strategic partner working with DHS, is integrating RES Software's Workspace Manager desktop management software into the dashboard for the CDM program, said RES Software CEO Al Monserrat in an interview.

The CDM program includes hardware and software asset management technology, as well as configuration and vulnerability management technology, from several other enterprise vendors.

[Related: AppSense Steps Up Its Endpoint Security Game With Increased R&D, Partner Training]

RES Software uses predictive analytics to identify anomalies taking place in a user's workspace, enabling IT admins to ensure that users only have access to the apps and data they're authorized to use, according to Monserrat.

DHS targeted a very specific set of capabilities in the CDM program, and Booz Allen Hamilton led the creation of the overall architectural design, said Monserrat.

"[DHS] needed tools that mitigate risk with better observation and monitoring of what's happening in these environments, which have heterogeneous apps and data," Monserrat said.

Representatives from Booz Allen Hamilton weren't available for comment. But two RES Software partners told CRN they think the DHS deal will highlight the vendor's ability to solve tough security and user management challenges.

Michael Gray, COO at Champion Solutions Group, said RES Software is a key part of his company's security portfolio.

"The devices people use every day are the lead entry point to data loss in any organization. RES has bridged that gap in multiple ways, including whitelisting and blacklisting of applications," Gray said.

RES Software's workflow and automation also smoothes complex workflows, which helps users get tasks done more quickly, according to Gray.

Jim Steinlage, CEO of Choice Solutions, a Kansas City, Kan.-based RES Software partner, said RES provides security for mobile settings where users are accessing corporate data on multiple devices.

"RES Software predicts employees’ needs and the context in which they’re working, which provides tremendous flexibility," Steinlage said. "At the same time, it enhances security without compromising it."

The UEM market is getting more attention due to the booming use of mobile devices. AppSense, which dominates the space, also is focusing more on endpoint security. VMware has its own UEM offering, a combination of technology from its Immidio and CloudVolumes acquisitions.

RES Software in recent years has branched out from its roots in profile management into IT automation and self-service for end users, including tasks like password resets, and onboarding and offboarding users.

The Netherlands-based vendor, which has its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, launched a bundle in June called RES One Suite, which combines all of these offerings with security and compliance technology in a single product SKU.

While RES Software has worked with several government agencies since its founding in 1999, Monserrat said the DHS deal could be a springboard for the company to raise its profile in the federal IT market.

"It's a great win for us," Monserrat said of the DHS deal. "It demonstrates the relevance RES Software has in being part of next-generation security solutions for the federal space."

PUBLISHED SEPT. 3, 2015