Johannesburg, 25 Oct 2005
Canadian-based Absolute Software (NetTrace`s principal) and IBM Lenovo have jointly announced that the T-series notebook range will now support the Computrace security platform, and its asset management feature set, at the hardware level.
The software is now able to reside in a protected area in the BIOS (basic input output system) on the notebook`s motherboard, as part of IBM`s embedded security subsystem.
NetTrace established the Computrace product and service in South Africa during 2000. The product was initially used to enhance the security of mobile and networked computers and the data stored on them. Computrace transmits regular location information when connected to a network or the Internet, so that the hardware can be pinpointed if required.
Over the past years many applications have been found for the small unobtrusive and reliable encrypted communication mechanism between computer assets, and the NetTrace monitoring servers. NetTrace have demonstrated great success in helping corporate companies to automatically monitor the computers from a hardware and software point of view.
In addition to the theft recovery features, the software can also be used for accurate inventory management, software licensing and lease management as the PC `drifts` on its merry way toward replacement. A recently added feature allows for sensitive corporate data, on a stolen hard drive, to be wiped using military strength erasure even before the asset is actually recovered. Due to the fact that the IBM Lenovo code allows Computrace to be enabled in the BIOS, detection and removal is now nearly impossible. This is the first OEM integration with this type of product into a system hardware BIOS.
"The technology has been around for a few years but with business driving cost of ownership down to individual assets, our solution is fulfilling a core requirement," says Jonathan Bass, MD of NetTrace. "It has taken a while for this technology to mature and with the growth of networked computing it is very possible to lose track of your PC assets. Now everybody has to look at the growth of notebook computing and the explosion of digital devices, trusted computing in the mobile world has become essential," says Bass.
It`s like having an undetectable security cable connected to all your remote and mobile computers. On a daily basis Computrace improves the ability to track and manage computer assets no matter where they are, and in critical situations it goes one step further, and helps to recover stolen PCs.
"With our software included in the IBM Lenovo ThinkPad BIOS, our `Anti-Theft` technology evolves from tamper-resistant to tamper-proof," said John Livingston, Chairman and CEO of Absolute Software.
The most secure notebooks available are now even better. With your IBM Lenovo T-Series notebook you get one integrated security solution out of the box. The combination of the integrated fingerprint reader to secure the data and the embedded tracking security subsystem is like having a personal 24-hour security guard for your notebook capable of notifying armed response where it is if it`s stolen.
A valid subscription with NetTrace is required to activate the service, as NetTrace is the exclusive service provider for the solution in South Africa.
For more information, please contact NetTrace.
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