Cybersource, Australian Linux and open source solutions company, announced the successful deployment of 120 Linux-based TrimClient systems and several TrimClient image servers, for the Victorian Department of Justice. As high-security was the most important requirement, the TrimClients were selected as being the best solution for the job. TrimClients offer a fully managed, totally locked-down, rich desktop environment, providing all the advantages of thin clients, but none of the disadvantages.

"The Department of Justice had very high levels of security requirements for this rollout. In essence, they wanted to prevent the users from making any changes whatsoever to the system or applications, no addition of new software or drivers, no Internet access, and complete safety from all forms of malware, worms, viruses and keyloggers," said Cybersource products manager Ron Fabre. "Their in-depth risk analysis led them to understand that our TrimClient solution was the best option for giving their users a fully-featured desktop experience, but within a totally managed, zero-administration and locked-down environment."

The new TrimClient network was built on commodity hardware, incorporating a load-balanced/redundant array of system image servers. New TrimClients can be added to the network in minutes, even by non-technical staff. Further, by basing the TrimClient architecture on Linux and open source, Cybersource was able to fine-tune support for very explicit sets of hardware add-ons and peripherals, allowing some but blocking others.

Cybersource's Fabre said "Because of the highly sensitive nature of the deployment environment, DoJ needed a solution which dramatically reduced on-site maintenance attendance effort. Cybersource TrimClient provides that facility. TrimClient is designed to be a near-zero administration platform, where 90% of the effort and cost of maintaining desktop systems is removed and the remaining can be done remotely."

Unlike thin-client technologies where the application server and network must bear the load of application execution, the Cybersource TrimClient system leverages the power provided with commodity desktop hardware in front of the user, to run applications locally within a secure operating environment.

Fabre continued, "Along with Linux, we use a who's who of open source desktop applications, such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org. This deployment further proves that desktop Linux is a viable option for specific enterprise needs in the Australian business context."