Kuraray America Deploys ConSentry's LANShield Intelligent Switch

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ConSentry Networks today announced that Kuraray America, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd., in Japan, has deployed the LANShield Intelligent Switch to control network access for staff, partners, and guests across its seven US locations. ConSentry LANShield Switches enable Kuraray America's Houston-based U.S. headquarters to centrally see and control the resources that users can access at any locale and document those controls for adherence to Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley (J-Sox). In addition, the extensive visibility the LANShield Switches provide speeds the company's troubleshooting and improves network operations.

"We have visitors from Japan and all over the world, as well as contractors who visit the main facility in Houston," said Lee Nugent, IT manager for Kuraray America. "ConSentry's LANShield Switches allow us to easily grant them access to the Internet. I've also gained a much better understanding of users and applications, and more importantly, the ability to enforce policies. I can allow guests, partners, and our employees access to just what they need to get their jobs done."

The Kuraray group is a manufacturer of chemical products, based upon its highly original businesses such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene vinyl alcohol polymers (EVOH), PVA fiber, man-made leather, isoprene-related chemicals and other advanced materials. The consolidation of three American subsidiaries into one operating company earlier this year caused Kuraray America to evaluate its existing combination of switches. While the company looked for solutions to support its U.S. network infrastructure, it also had to meet internal controls for audits, security, and policy for J-Sox.

LANShield Protects Assets, Helps Address Insider Threat

"We're not listed publicly in the U.S., but we have to follow J-Sox, which is very heavy on security," said Nugent. "Instead of just having controls within Microsoft Windows Active Directory, we needed stronger protection - computer-savvy users can too easily find ways around those controls."

In addition, the ConSentry solution controls access based on identity - not switch port. Kuraray America had considered upgrading the network with additional existing switches, but "I didn't like that the existing switches required you to install software on each client, and the access control didn't follow the user," said Nugent. "For example, if I sat at another employee's desk, I'd be restricted to his or her limits instead of getting full IT access rights."

"Multinational, regulated companies require a comprehensive solution to control their workforce and more easily meet the demands of audits and compliance," said Joe Golden, CEO of ConSentry. "Our architecture for intelligent control, with user and application control built directly into the LAN, enables our customers to protect assets, boost productivity, and simplify operations."

Tags and Keywords

LANShield Intelligent Switch, network access control, application control, user and application security, Intelligent Switching, J-sox compliance

About Kuraray

Kuraray Co. Ltd., with annual sales of JPY417.6 billion (Approx. $4.2 billion) and 6,770 employees worldwide (consolidated as of March, 2008), is engaged in a broad array of unique businesses. Its subsidiary, Kuraray America, Inc., supplies the Western Hemisphere with materials including isoprene-derived products such as thermoplastic elastomers (SEPTON(tm)), pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical intermediates and aroma chemicals, as well as dental materials, activated carbon, high strength polyarylate fiber (Vectran(r)), man-made leather (Clarino(tm)), highly heat resistant polyamide resin (Genestar(tm)), polyvinyl alcohol resin (Kuraray Poval(r)), EVOH resin and film (EVAL(tm)), and new type of gas barrier film (KURARISTER(tm)). Kuraray Group's proprietary products that boast top share in their markets compose about 50% of Kuraray Group's net sales with global growth continuing.

About ConSentry Networks

The ConSentry Networks Intelligent Control architecture delivers native user and application control at the LAN access edge. With this technology, ConSentry's award-winning LANShield product family enables IT managers to improve the visibility, control, and performance of users and applications and radically simplify LAN deployment and operations. ConSentry is backed by blue-chip venture capital firms Accel Partners, DAG Ventures, INVESCO Private Capital, and Sequoia Capital and is headquartered in Milpitas, California.

ConSentry Networks, the ConSentry Networks logo, and LANShield are trademarks of ConSentry Networks Inc., for use in the United State and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.

Contacts

ConSentry Networks Michelle McLean, 408-956-2100 [email protected] or Engage PR for ConSentry Networks Chelsea Irwin, 510-748-8200 ext. 203 [email protected]