Avecto helps Crutchfield Corporation enhance employee productivity and reduce security risks (1)

Crutchfield Corporation - a leading consumer electronics retailer, today announced it is using Avecto Privilege Guard to enhance its users productivity, reduce the time IT spends on troubleshooting and malware-related issues, as well as protect its customers credit card information. A key component of Crutchfield's Windows 7 migration strategy, Privilege Guard allows employees to run critical applications that require admin rights without having full privileges and importantly without IT intervention.

Jon Bain, Technical Lead, Client Support Group, for Crutchfield Corporation, explains why this is critical. A managed environment helps prevent installation of unauthorized and potentially malicious software, such as applications that could gain access to our network and harvest data like credit card information.

Speaking about the introduction of Privilege Guard, Bain adds, It enables us to maintain a standard desktop and reduce the variables that our support team deals with when troubleshootingand that helps save time and money. Privilege Guard was clearly designed to make user rights management as simple as possible. The fact that it eliminates a lot of overheads, saves time and is affordably priced, makes the ROI easy to demonstrate.

Several of Crutchfields key applications require admin privileges, such as a UPS application that the returns department uses to send defective products back to vendors. When it is launched, the application automatically checks for updates and will not start until they are applied. However, without admin rights, users were previously not able to install updates. Whenever admin rights were required, users had to call the helpdesk and wait for an available staff member to remotely log into their desktop and supply the needed credentials.

In addition to its UPS application, Crutchfield plans to use Privilege Guard to help call centre representatives run a training program that requires Windows Media Player to run with admin rights. Moving forwards, it is also exploring using Privilege Guard to whitelist applications that are allowed to run on kiosk computers in warehouse break rooms and on shared, appliance-like computers that are used for timekeeping applications. Bain concludes, Avecto makes privilege management exceedingly easy and allows me to grant user rights at a very granular level. Its support is outstanding and thats important to Crutchfield, as were also relentless about excellent customer service.

About Avecto: Avecto is the leader in Windows privilege management, helping organizations to deploy secure and compliant desktops and servers. With its award winning Privilege Guard technology, organizations can now empower all Windows based desktop and server users with the privileges they require to perform their roles, without compromising the integrity and security of their systems.

Customers of all sizes rely on Avecto to reduce operating expenses and strengthen security across their Windows based environments. Our mission is to enable our customers to lower operating costs and improve system security by implementing least privilege. Avecto is building a worldwide channel of partners and system integrators and is headquartered in Manchester, UK with key regional offices in Andover, MA.

About Crutchfield Corporation

Founded in 1974, Crutchfield Corporation is North America's largest direct integrated marketer (catalog, call center, and Internet) of consumer electronics products. It offers a convenient, full-service shopping destination to buyers of car and home audio/video products. Providing an unprecedented level of customer service, Crutchfield is noted for its high integrity, product expertise, and technical support. Mailed to approximately 7.5 million households, Crutchfield's catalogs include comprehensive explanations of product and technology intended to help consumers make informed buying decisions. Crutchfield was the first authorized audio/video retailer on the Internet, launching its website (www.crutchfield.com) in the summer of 1995.

Update: Privilege Guard is now Defendpoint

Privilege Guard has now evolved into the new security suite, Defendpoint, which encompasses Privilege Management, Application Control and Sandboxing. For more information, please visit www.avecto.com/defendpoint.