Securing data and mobile devices with HP and Microsoft

HP ProtectTools Security Manager is the foundation for HP ProtectTools for notebook PCs. ProtectTools Security Manager is an extensible console downloadable free from the HP site for older HP notebooks. It is also factory-installed into next generation HP notebooks, giving you a single point of control for securing your entire notebook user population.

HP has developed four modules to work with HP ProtectTools Security Manager for customised security.

• BIOS configuration for HP ProtectTools gives you control over your computer's BIOS settings. It prevents anyone who doesn't know your BIOS password from booting your system. This feature is only available to notebook PCs
• Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools supports multifactor Windows Authentication and single sign-on so you can deploy strong authentication that is easy to use
• Smart Card security for HP ProtectTools allows you to easily add Smart Card security to your notebook. It manages the card initialisation, security settings, and integration with the BIOS
• Embedded Security for HP ProtectTools allows you to configure and manage your notebook's built-in Trusted Computing Module security chip 

Some HP notebooks come pre-installed with the BIOS configuration and Credential Manager. For other notebooks, you can download this free from HP if your hardware supports it. Review your product information or work with your local HP product expert for more details on which HP ProtectTools modules your notebook supports.

HP's ProtectTool solutions for iPAQs Pocket PCs give you solid device-level security right out of the box. With the pre-loaded HP ProtectTools, you can password protect your iPAQ and encrypt its data. So even if it is lost or stolen, the information on it is secure.

Benefits of HP ProtectTools:

• Protect mobile devices and applications: Safeguard against legal liability, financial loss or brand damage if mobile devices are lost or stolen with enforced passwords, data encryption and automatic fail-safe "kill" options
• Cost-effective and easy to administer: Quickly deploy comprehensive centrally-defined security policies that protect your mobile users, devices and data, while restricting application use, disabling peripherals and preventing the use of communication ports and storage cards
• Provide broad platform support: Protect your mobile ecosystem and diverse types of mobile devices from a single graphical user interface
• Offer an elegant upgrade path: Meet future enterprise security management requirements as you expand the use of mobile and wireless computing with an elegant upgrade path
• One-stop solution: Get optional personal firewall, backup and recovery, software imaging or wireless access VPN components

Safeguard your remote communications with Windows Server 2003 routing and remote access services. This allows you to create a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel into your corporate network over the public Internet.

Microsoft Server 2003 establishes a secure communication channel between remote users and internal business systems by authenticating only authorised users. Once this VPN tunnel is established, the data is encrypted to prevent any unauthorised eavesdropping, thereby safeguarding the exchange of confidential information.