Data security is a major concern for the growing number of users of mobile computing and as the first company to include smart card security with its high-end notebooks and tablet PCs, Acer has taken the lead in addressing the problem.
According to Gary De Menezes, commercial director at Acer, the adoption of encryption and electronic signatures using smart card technology on its notebooks is the way forward for Acer.
"The Acer smart card system provides a total security solution on TravelMate notebooks and their stored data. It provides ideal support for ID logins on notebooks, a favourite Web site and for where sharing resources between multiple users is required," he says.
The smart card stores over 100 times more information than typical magnetic strip cards and reduces tampering and counterfeiting through high-security mechanisms. The cards are also expensive to duplicate.
"While smart card technology is certainly not new, it is a solution that is set to revolutionise safe and secure mobile access through personal identification and encryption for Acer customers," says De Menezes.
The smart card is the size of a standard plastic `credit card` with an embedded microchip. Users simply insert and remove the card from the smart card reader built into the notebook. When the card is removed, the notebook is locked. Without the smart card the notebook will not boot and is useless to would-be thieves.
The smart cards ship with 4Kb of memory, are ISO7816 compliant and can be rewritten and updated if required.
Acer uses PlatinumSecret technology. Functions of the application include PlatinumPAS, which checks if the smart card is registered on the PC. If not, the system is locked at BIOS level.
PlatinumSecure supports user authentication at operating system level and PlatinumKey is based on Web authentication. Users can extend the memory of the card with smart card caching technology and store info either on the smart card, or a specific Web site.
If the passwords are entered incorrectly more than three times, the notebook is locked and requires a call to Acer`s customer contact centre.
Acer`s smart card system allows more users to share the hardware without compromising security or privacy. Additional users can purchase and register new smart cards to the system. The primary smart card, however, retains the control to add and delete secondary smart cards.
"A total of five users, including the primary user, can be registered on one notebook under the smart card security system," adds De Menezes.
"Acer is offering a secondary smart card for customer needs, either as an emergency card, or to use as a combined security measure for best protection and maximum use of their notebooks."
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Acer ranks among the world`s top 10 branded PC vendors, designing and marketing easy, dependable IT solutions that empower people to reach their goals and enhance their lives. Acer`s product offering includes desktop and mobile PCs, servers and storage, displays, peripherals and e-business solutions for business, government, education and home users. Established in 1976, the pan Acer Group employs 39 000 people supporting dealers and distributors in over 100 countries. Revenues reached $12.9 billion in 2002. Please visit www.acer.com.
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