Johannesburg, 10 Mar 2004
Phoenix Technologies and Vancouver BC-based Absolute Software (NetTrace`s Principal in Canada) have announced that beginning in March 2004, Phoenix will modify its TrustedCore, FirstBIOS, and FirstBIOS Pro firmware to allow Absolute`s security platform and its asset management software to reside in a protected area in the BIOS.
NetTrace Loss Control is an established product, which has been around since 1996, and which is well-regarded in the industry for its technology. Designed to protect the security of data on networked computers, NetTrace Loss Control transmits regular location information when connected to the Internet, thus tracing its location so the hardware can be recovered, and allowing the hard drive to be wiped of all data and the computer disabled. Because the Phoenix BIOS code is being rewritten to allow the NetTrace Loss Control software to be enabled in the BIOS, removal is nearly impossible.
"Today you can get a lot more off a stolen networked computer," said Tim Eades, Phoenix`s senior vice president, and general manager, corporate marketing and products division. Network access is what you are essentially stealing. This technology can kill the computer and stop access to the network."
This is the first actual integration of this type of product into Phoenix`s BIOS.
"We`ve never actually incorporated this type of technology into our firmware as a standard offering," Eades said. "We`ve partnered with companies in the past to do it downstream."
Eades indicated that the deal will benefit Phoenix by adding value and differentiating its BIOS products from competitors. And it will provide new opportunities for Phoenix`s OEM and system builder partners.
"The work we are doing will provide system builders with a suite of products they can take advantage of," said Ben Haidri, vice-president of marketing at Absolute. "It makes it easy for them to build our custom solutions."
Haidri said system builders are generally eager to integrate solutions, but only if they are "low cost, low trauma and easy to use.
"They would love to add things like single sign-on, but usually can`t afford it, or would have to use proprietary standards," Haidri said. "With this, they can quickly and easily add security and asset management to their PC hardware programs at low cost and without changing their build method. By using these products, they get a set of ready-to-go applications for asset management."
Haidri also noted that Phoenix partners, like Phoenix itself, now can add extra value in a universe of hardware manufacturers trying to distinguish themselves from each other
"This technology has been around for a few years, but we think its becoming more core now, with the growth of networked computing," Eades said. "It`s taken a while for this type of technology to mature. Everybody has to look at the growth of notebook computing and the explosion of digital devices. Trusted computing is essential."
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