AFP to overhaul antivirus, anti-malware security

New secuity suites will protect desktops and laptops, stand-alone systems, physical servers, virtual infrastructure, and storage

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is to overhaul its data and systems security shortly, with the deployment of new organisation-wide antivirus and anti-malware suites.

The deployment, due to be completed by June this year, will involve run across five tiers of hardware: Desktops and laptops, stand-alone systems, physical servers, virtual infrastructure, and the AFP’s NetApp network attached storage (NAS).

The AFP said it intended to use multiple vendors for its antivirus and anti-malware deployments, especially between its server-based and desktop environments. Despite this, each product will be capable of being managed centrally with timely detailed reporting and alerts to the AFP.

“It is not intended that one application vendor be successful in addressing all facets of the computing environment; therefore solutions are expected to include best-of-breed for a defence in-depth outcome,” the documents read.

“To achieve this outcome the AFP will consider solutions that provide for all tiers, or any combination of all tiers.”

The AFP said it would consider the use of applications which would enable VMware-based virtual servers to off-load AV scanning to the hypervisor.

The AFP also noted that it operated a number of desktop and server standard operating environments (SOEs), and any software would need to support Windows XP 32-bit, Windows 7 32- and 64-bit operating systems.

The organisation operates a fleet of Microsoft Windows-based servers from NT4 to Windows 2008 R2. Red Hat Linux midrange systems are also maintained.

Earlier this month, the AFP said it was also increasing security around its printing, stating it would roll out a secure mobile print, copy and scanning solution at its Edmund Barton Building complex.

The solution will allow staff to activate and print a job on any network connected printer or multifunction device through use of a proximity card near the print device.

In May, the AFP said it would look to upgrade its SAP environment so it can securely move, replicate and test data between its SAP development, SAP test and SAP production environments.

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Tags antivirusanti-malwareAFPAustralian Federal Police (AFP)

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