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February 01, 2007 | Comments: (0)
Laptop lockdown from afar
Here's a clear-cut winner from the Demo 07 show: the Alcatel-Lucent Mobile Endpoint Management System (a more memorable name is coming, I'm told, when the product actually gets released). The telecom multinational with the ITT and Bell Labs pedigree may have solved one of the enterprise's most intractable problems: how to safely manage and secure laptops when they're not in the office. Any number of recent embarrassing incidents involving lost laptops can attest to the severity of the situation.
The system is a 3G-based PC card that IT managers can access 24/7 -- even when the laptop is turned off. The card itself, which is always on, has a 3G modem, its own processor, a Linux OS, and battery. Remove it, and the laptop shuts off instantly, and can't be restarted until the card is reinserted. As you'd expect, it does hardware encryption of the hard drive (the encryption key is on-card). Alcatel-Lucent also threw in GPS, a SIMM card slot, and a Micro SD slot for expandable memory.
IT managers will be able to do reliable remote patch management, deactivate the laptop if it's lost or stolen, backup the hard drive to the card, even remotely delete the encryption key, rendering the PC unusable if it goes missing. For another layer of security, a VPN agent on the card ensures all data is tunneled through the VPN. I'll be interested in seeing how reliably this works, since VPN management can be tricky, especially for mobile users who may be connecting to the Net using every possible connection and configuration option.
Company representatives say this product will be available in 2007, for a price to be determined. At this point, they are not sure how they will bring it to market. Many network managers who struggle with keeping tabs on their mobile workforce will be rooting it happens soon.
Posted by Steve Fox on February 1, 2007 09:00 AM
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When coupled with the policy management functions specifically designed for wireless as outlined in this Yankee Group white paper the combination provides even greater control and lock-down of client data http://www.netmotionwireless.com/goto/camp360.asp?campid=360
Posted by: Stef at February 1, 2007 01:37 AMThis article is not real clear about how this PC Card works. I'm assuming it uses cell technology for communication (like the Verizon or Sprint cards). If so, can't the thief just block the signal. Or what happens if the user of the laptop has no signal, can they still use their laptop? Gotta love those vague marketing announcements... :-)
Posted by: Phil at February 13, 2007 12:57 PMwhat about the time lag? I mean what if all the information is stolen in the time between the actaul theft of the pc, and the moment it is dicovered as stolen, and then deactivated. Things are complex
Posted by: searchbox at February 16, 2007 03:02 AMTOP STORIES
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