Panda Security has introduced hybrid cloud-based content protection for its GateDefender Performa 4.0 perimeter security appliance. One of the things the device protects your company against is your employees' behavior.The hybrid cloud content protection update for Panda Security's GateDefender Performa 4.0 aims to tamp down on malware, spam and other threats not only by securing the perimeter, but also by giving users the tools to restrict risky (and bandwidth-intensive) employee behavior inside the perimeter.

While the device may be most appropriate for high usage/heavy traffic midsized and larger businesses' demands (and budgets: the small business version, GateDefender Performa SB starts at close to $2,000), the GateDefender's approach is worth considering.

That approach includes cloud-based management that gives a single view of company-wide security, antimalware and antispam tools, content filtering, decryption/encryption for SSL scans during HTTPS sessions, load balancing and "the ability to selectively block IM/P2P/VoIP/Spotify communications that are known to critically impact bandwidth consumption."

Rolling P2P, music, VOIP and other heavy bandwidth productivity lowering activity monitoring into the appliance's capabilities puts teeth into employee usage policies. Restricting employees' P2P and other high bandwidth usage not only frees up your capacity (and their concentration) but also cuts way back on some of the riskiest procedures your employees may be engaging in.

Not cheap, and not for every SMB, but, as noted, worth a look if you're looking at hardening your perimeter defenses -- and tightening up your defensive posture within them.