A device controller is a part of a computer system that makes sense of the signals going to and coming from the CPU. It is the electronic component of I/O units and is also called a device adapter. There is a device controller (hardware) and a device driver (software) for each device to communicate with the operating system.
A device controller protects and restricts user access to devices. Companies and organizations open or block access to devices such as data storage media, including removable devices, CD/DVDs, data transfer devices such as modems, or external network adapters, printers, multi-function peripherals, and connection buses, such as USBs.
Most device controllers restrict access to devices by access rules. Access rules are sets of parameters that identify two functions of the device control component. These include providing access to specific types of devices for certain users or groups of users during specified time periods, and setting restriction rules for reading and editing files on data storage media.
Device controllers are increasingly being used by organizations, as the latter are becoming more interconnected than ever before. Today, external devices and removable media are commonplace tools used to execute daily business operations and collaboration. This may result in malware being introduced into the system, or threat to enterprise data. In order to combat these, device controllers are a critical component of data protection strategies for today’s enterprises.
