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While security features increasingly rely on established industry standards and are better integrated with other security elements, there are still challenges to widespread deployment and utilization. These challenges include usability, manageability, awareness, interoperability and extensibility.

Some of the following integrated tools can go a long way in protecting data and providing a secured mobility experience.

Credential Manager: The core functionalities delivered by credential manager are multi-factor authentication, Windows logon service, and single sign-on backed by identity storage, backup, and migration capabilities. These help in various ways such as single sign-on which is more convenient for the user and password security, fully-integrated embedded security chip support that can provide another authentication factor while protecting the user's credentials.

Embedded Security: OS-level security solutions can provide a high level of protection against unauthorized access. But in order to truly protect a system at each of the points of vulnerability, security has to be built into the hardware and firmware.

BIOS Configuration: Some users may not be comfortable modifying BIOS settings through standard F10 access. BIOS configuration may be designed to make the BIOS features easily accessible to all users from the familiar Microsoft Windows environment.

Smart Card Security: This enables access to the smart card configuration and enables smart card security features on systems equipped with a smart card reader. Smart card readers can either be integrated or can be added using the PC card slot on notebooks and USB on desktops and workstations.

Smart Card Reader: A smart card is an authentication credential containing an embedded integrated circuit that can uniquely identify the cardholder. The smart card is the same size as a credit card. Authenticating the user before the operating system, pre-boot security can load without the need for credentials stored on the system. This simplifies operating system logon.

Device Access Manager: A common assumption with today's client usage model is that users who are authorized to log on to a client and access sensitive data are also able to copy or print that information. In reality, this is not always the case. Companies may need to allow users to view sensitive data, but restrict their ability to copy or print that data. Device access manager solves that problem.

Creating a secure system involves looking at all areas of vulnerability and creating solutions to address each of those areas.

Disk Sanitizer: It helps to protect the data from unauthorized access by completely removing it from the hard drive. It eliminates the need to purchase third-party software to erase hard disk data. This feature is perfect for recycled equipment, planning for lease expiration, and preparation ahead of a service event as it permanently destroys data.

TPM-Enhanced DriveLock: Hard drive protected by an automatically created, strong, random password makes it more transparent and easier to use. DriveLock password protected in TPM hardware improves security by requiring users to authenticate before accessing the hard drive and without the need to memorize another password.

Privacy Filter: This ensures that only the relevant person can view displayed and confidential data. The security filter narrows the viewing angle in your notebook display with no blurring or image distortion so that screen data is visible only to the user, thus people on either side see a dark, blank screen.

P Raghuraman, country manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group, HP India
maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in

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