Retarus Boosts E-Mail Security Services

Munich, 31.01.2017 // Global information logistics provider Retarus continues to expand the scope of functions provided by its E-Mail Security Services: Patient Zero Detection^® enables companies to identify the recipients of previously unknown malware (the so-called “patient zeros”) without delay. This allows administrators to react quickly and, in cases such as ransomware attacks, to avert substantial harm to the company. The new technology is available with immediate effect and marks the first in a series of innovative solutions for e-mail security Retarus will be launching over the next few months.

Emails carrying known malware are already blocked reliably by means of Retarus E-Mail Security‘s comprehensive filtering functions, before they can find their way into the IT infrastructure. No virus filter is, however, able to offer one-hundred percent protection from targeted attacks. New instances of malicious software are often not filtered out and sneak into the company network undetected. According to Kaspersky, the average cost incurred by enterprises which fall prey to such attacks is an astounding US$ 551,000. That’s why Patient Zero Detection^® also identifies dangerous emails containing previously unknown malware which have already been delivered. To facilitate this, a digital fingerprint is generated for all attachments as they are received. This does not result in any delay in delivery times. As soon as a virus scanner discovers malware in an identical attachment delivered to another recipient at a later point in time, the fingerprints are automatically compared with each other. If a match is found, Retarus immediately informs the responsible administrators and, optionally, all those who have already received the attachment.

Instant alerts enable quick response

Thanks to the timely alerts along with detailed information about the recipients of the message, administrators are able to identify the affected systems in next to no time and take measures to prevent the virus from spreading throughout the company’s network. And once an infected attachment has been opened, Retarus Patient Zero Detection^® simplifies the IT forensics. Detailed reports provide concrete points of reference about which users’ messages should be searched for viruses. In order to ensure better protection for company networks from potential future attacks, Patient Zero Detection^® provides information which can be used to sensitize employees about existing threats, while also providing a basis for continually optimizing the system settings for Retarus E-Mail Security.

“Simple virus protection solutions have long been insufficient. The number of new viruses and their variants using email to attack a company’s infrastructure on a daily basis has grown too large. In 2016 we observed that the average number of viruses per month amounted to 3.5 times the number of viruses observed over the whole of 2015. This means that the amount of viruses rose by a factor of 42 in a year on year comparison,” explains Bernhard Hecker, Director Product Management at Retarus.

“Once malware has entered the network, it becomes crucial to limit the damage it can cause. Only by quickly identifying the recipients of infected messages, can companies prevent greater harm from being inflicted. In Patient Zero Detection^®, we have developed an innovative new technology which enables companies to close this gap in the security.”

Comprehensive protection at all levels

Retarus Patient Zero Detection^® is the first in a series of innovative email security functions. In order to facilitate even more powerful protection for your IT infrastructure, Retarus will be extending its E-mail Security Services by adding other new mechanisms to safeguard networks against targeted attacks – particularly for phishing attacks and CEO fraud – as well as expanding analysis functionality and sandboxing mechanisms. In this way, Retarus not only offers comprehensive virus protection, but also thoroughly covers malware recognition and analysis – as recommended by analysts. Companies benefit from the optimum safeguarding of their systems and are always in a position to react quickly to potential threats.

About Retarus

Retarus is a global provider of APIs, gateways, and applications for messaging, email management, and the exchange of structured data for business processes – with top performance, security, and data protection, provided from the company's self-operated data centers around the globe. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, Retarus is owner-managed and proud of its innovation power. The company employs a staff of around 500 at 20 locations on four continents. Retarus' services are leveraged by the world's leading companies. The services are sold directly by Retarus or in close collaboration with selected partners. Analysts constantly commend Retarus' outstanding quality and reliability. More details: www.retarus.com