Company Profile

Faronics Corporation is a privately held software company with offices in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, San Ramon, CA, USA, and Bracknell

Bracknell

Bracknell is a town and civil parish in the Borough of Bracknell Forest in Berkshire, England. It lies to the south-east of Reading, southwest of Windsor and west of central London...

, UK. Faronics develops computer software for multi-user IT environments. Faronics products are predominantly used in educational institutions, libraries, healthcare facilities, government agencies.

The company employs over 100 people.

Faronics was founded in 1993 by Farid Ali, the company’s present CEO, and was incorporated in 1996. Faronics first sold computer hardware and shifted to software in 1999 with the advent of Deep Freeze, a kernel

Kernel (computing)

In computing, the kernel is the main component of most computer operating systems; it is a bridge between applications and the actual data processing done at the hardware level. The kernel's responsibilities include managing the system's resources...

-level software utility that instantly restores a computer back to its original configuration with every reboot

Booting

In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...

. Deep Freeze has since-garnered a strong presence in K-12 education and is now part of Faronics "Layered Security" suite of products.

Products

Faronics develops nine software products which run on Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

 and Mac OS X

Mac OS X

Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...

 operating systems:

Deep Freeze

Deep Freeze (software)

Deep Freeze, by Faronics, is an application available for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and SUSE Linux operating systems which allows system administrators to protect the core operating system and configuration files on a workstation or server by restoring a computer back to its original...

 

A software utility, released in 1999, that restores a computer back to its original configuration each time the computer restarts. Deep Freeze comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers) and a version for Mac OS X (a version for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop , formerly introduced as Novell Linux Desktop, is a Linux distribution supplied by Novell and targeted at the business market. It is targeted for desktops. New major versions are released at an interval of 24–36 months, while minor versions are released every 9–12...

 (SLED) by Novell was discontinued in 2010). Deep Freeze for Windows can be managed remotely via its Enterprise Console or via Faronics Core. Deep Freeze Mac can be centrally-managed in multiple computer settings via Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant...

.

The principle of operation

Deep Freeze is a kernel-level driver

Device driver

In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....

 that runs at a low level to protect drive integrity. Running at this low system level allows the driver to redirect information which is being written to the drive, leaving the original data intact. This redirected information is no longer referenced once the computer is restarted, thus restoring the system to its original state at the disk sector

Disk sector

In computer disk storage, a sector is a subdivision of a track on a magnetic disk or optical disc. Each sector stores a fixed amount of user data. Traditional formatting of these storage media provides space for 512 bytes or 2048 bytes of user-accessible data per sector...

 level. To the computer user, the computing experience is unaffected when Deep Freeze is active.

For Deep Freeze to protect a computer’s configuration, a computer must have its BIOS

BIOS

In IBM PC compatible computers, the basic input/output system , also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS , is a de facto standard defining a firmware interface....

 password

Password

A password is a secret word or string of characters that is used for authentication, to prove identity or gain access to a resource . The password should be kept secret from those not allowed access....

-protected and have its hard disk

Hard disk

A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...

 as the first boot device.

Anti-Executable

Originally released in 2005 as FreezeX, Anti-Executable is an application whitelisting software that, when first installed, creates a “whitelist” of executable files which exists on a computer. When Anti-Executable is active, unwanted executables which do not appear on the whitelist will not run. Anti-Executable comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). Anti-Executable Enterprise can be managed remotely via Faronics Core.

Faronics Anti-Virus

Released in 2010, this anti-virus software for Windows combines anti-virus, anti-spyware

Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...

 and anti-rootkit

Rootkit

A rootkit is software that enables continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding its presence from administrators by subverting standard operating system functionality or other applications...

 technologies. Faronics Anti-Virus works with Deep Freeze so that program updates can be performed without turning Deep Freeze protection off. Faronics Anti-Virus is managed remotely via Faronics Core.

Faronics Layered Security

Layered security

Layered security, also known as layered defense, describes the practice of combining multiple mitigating security controls to protect resources and data....

 

Released in 2011, this IT security software suite consists of Deep Freeze, Anti-Executable and Faronics Anti-Virus and applies a Defense in Depth strategy to protecting computer workstations, combining anti-virus software, application whitelisting and instant system restore. The suite is managed remotely via Faronics Core.

Power Save

Released in 2007, Power Save provides PC power management

PC power management

PC power management refers to the mechanism for controlling the power use of personal computer hardware. This is typically through the use of software that puts the hardware into the lowest power demand state available...

 to aid in green computing

Green computing

Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. In the article Harnessing Green IT: Principles and Practices, San Murugesan defines the field of green computing as "the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers,...

 initiatives and to help reduce power expenses. Power Save monitors computer activity to avoid interfering with computers in use and produces reports which show power consumption savings. Power Save comes in versions for Windows and Mac OS X. Power Save for Windows can be managed remotely via Faronics Core. Power Save Mac can be monitored remotely via Faronics Core and centrally-managed via Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant...

.

Insight

A classroom computer management and collaboration tool, released in 2007, that allows instructors to educate, assist, monitor, test and communicate with an entire class from one central computer. Insight also allows for control of applications and web activity on user workstations. Insight runs on Windows and Mac OS X computers and is managed remotely from its central teacher console.

WINSelect

Released in 1997, WINSelect is a user environment management

User environment management

User environment management is a computing term used to describe the management of a user's experience within their desktop environment.-The user environment:...

 software that allows IT administrators to customize the operating system and application functionality of computers in public access, kiosk, library, educational, and corporate environments. WINSelect comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). WINSelect Enterprise is managed remotely via Faronics Core.

System Profiler

System Profiler is an IT asset management

IT asset management

IT asset management is the set of business practices that join financial, contractual and inventory functions to support life cycle management and strategic decision making for the IT environment...

 software that can generate a detailed inventory of a computer workstation’s hardware configuration and software installed in both a summary or report format. System Profiler comes in two versions for Windows (Standard for standalone computers and Enterprise for networked computers). System Profiler Enterprise is managed remotely via Faronics Core.

Faronics Core

A management tool, released in 2008, that centrally administers computer workstation deployments of certain Faronics software products. Faronics Core utilizes MMC3 (Microsoft Management Console) technology which can create customized groups of computer workstations, schedule software-related tasks, and create reports. Faronics Core manages Faronics Anti-Virus, the Enterprise versions of WINSelect, Anti-Executable, and System Profiler, and the Windows editions of Deep Freeze and Power Save. Computers with Power Save Mac installed can be monitored by Faronics Core for reporting purposes.

Device Filter Mac

A software security utility, released in 2007, that regulates peripheral devices connecting to Mac OS X desktop computers to prevent unauthorized data transfers or connections. Device Filter Mac can be centrally-managed in multiple computer settings via Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop

Apple Remote Desktop is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant...

.

Awards

2011

Government Computer News - 2011 Best of FOSE Award: Security Software - Deep Freeze



2010

Technology & Learning - 2010 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Deep Freeze, Power Save & Faronics Insight



2009

Technology & Learning - 2009 Awards of Excellence, Best Upgrade - Anti-Executable, Power Save & WINSelect



Scholastic Administr@tor – Best in Tech for Network Security, 2009 – WINSelect.


2008

District Administration – Readers' Choice Top 100 Products of 2008 – Deep Freeze.

Technology & Learning – 2008 Awards of Excellence, Faronics Insight and Deep Freeze (Legacy Winner).

2007

Technology & Learning – 2007 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner – Deep Freeze.

2006

Macworld – 22nd Annual Editors' Choice Awards – Deep Freeze Mac.

Technology & Learning – 2006 Awards of Excellence, Legacy Winner – Deep Freeze.

eSchool News – Readers’ Choice Awards 2006 Winner, Network and Administration Software – Deep Freeze (Windows & Mac).

2005

Media and Methods Magazine – Awards Portfolio 2005 Winner, Computer Security – Deep Freeze Enterprise.

2004

Technology & Learning – 2004 Awards of Excellence – Deep Freeze Enterprise.

2003

Technology & Learning – 2003 Awards of Excellence, Management and Security – Deep Freeze Professional.

Affiliations and Memberships

Faronics has been recognized by Energy Star

Energy Star

Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...

  and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative

Climate Savers Computing Initiative

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is a nonprofit group of consumers, businesses and conservation organizations dedicated to promoting smart technologies that can improve the power efficiency and reduce the energy consumption of computers...

, participates in Novell

Novell

Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...

 PartnerNet, the LANDesk

LANDesk

LANDesk Software provides systems management, security management, service management, asset management, and process management solutions to organizations...

 Solutions Alliance and is a Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...

 Gold Certified Partner.

Faronics is also a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE

ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education is a nonprofit professional organization with a worldwide membership of leaders and potential leaders in educational technology...

), EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is "to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology." Membership is open to institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and other related...

, British Columbia Technology Industry Association

British Columbia Technology Industry Association

The British Columbia Technology Industry Association is a not-for-profit member-funded trade association in British Columbia, Canada, which promotes the technology industry in the province...

 (BCTIA), the Consortium for School Networking

Consortium for School Networking

The Consortium for School Networking, or CoSN, is a member-based association and advocacy group based in Washington, DC, USA, which promotes partnerships and awareness of emerging technologies amongst technology decision-makers in K-12 education.- History :...

 (CoSN) and the Software and Information Industry Association

Software and Information Industry Association

The Software & Information Industry Association is a United States based software trade association. The organization lobbies United States policy makers as well as conducting surveys and research and many conferences and webcasts....

(SIIA).