HP has unveiled new business devices that capitalise on security features in the upcoming Windows 10 to ease migration fears for business.
Frank Brassart, director, Mobility Business Unit, Printing & Personal Systems, HP EMEA, said that customer feedback had showed that security is a top concern for businesses, leading them to look for new and better ways to protect users and devices. He said that the security features of Windows 10, combined with the company’s new devices, will protect customers’ organisations and maximise employee productivity.
Leveraging features such as Device Guard, Windows Hello and Microsoft Passport in Windows 10, combined with device features, HP hopes to make the prospect of an OS migration much less of a headache for businesses and enterprise.
A key feature of the new device range is HP Sure Start. This is a BIOS level protection that checks for any interference with the start-up instructions for a device. If anything untoward is detected, the BIOS resets to its original state before proceeding.
“Windows 10 provides new capabilities optimised for modern business needs including enterprise-grade security, identity and information protection,” said Nick Parker, CVP, OEM Division, Microsoft. “HP’s innovation around security, particularly with BIOS-level security found in HP Sure Start, provides an additional layer of protection for their hardware and sensitive data.”
Sure Start
The Sure Start feature is available on HP’s Elite line of notebooks and ZBooks, and combines with Device Guard in Windows 10 Enterprise to secure the devices at the OS- and BIOS-level against security threats posed by viruses and malware attacks. This technology quickly restores productivity and reduces IT help calls in the event of a BIOS attack or corruption, said HP.
Identity and data automation and security policy management are vital areas, according to HP, the vendor has developed a range of protective features and measures.
HP Client Security is a suite of pre-installed, integrated solutions that delivers out-of-the box functionality for IT to easily manage and deploy endpoint protection. The suite is designed to safeguard devices by controlling access to ports and storage devices, including disk encryption; preventing unauthorised access to hard drives; and protecting user identities via password protection and user rights management.
Multi-factor authentication allows for ease in enrolling and managing a variety of options for device and system sign-on. HP’s own credential support includes passwords, smart cards, Bluetooth, PIN and fingerprint matching performed inside the hardware, making it hard for rogue software to compromise the biometric match. The majority of vendor’s commercial notebooks include hardened fingerprint readers, which gives a more secure input option, according to HP, for Windows Hello than non-hardened fingerprint readers.
HP’s Touchpoint Manager strengthens and simplifies enforcement of security and mobility policies by enabling organisations to deploy a single, unified security model across PCs and mobile devices. This means that apps, security policies and out-of-date software can be automatically updated and alert IT when something has been compromised or an issue is detected.
HP said that its 2015 commercial portfolio was designed with Windows 10 in mind, which is important to enterprise customers who build their own corporate image to install on devices. For customers planning to re-image devices to the new operating system, HP said that it has made this process as seamless as possible. Beginning in mid-August into October, the company’s existing commercial offerings will ship with the option of Windows 10 pre-installed.
Migration services
HP said it has developed a variety of support and services, which are now available, for businesses of all sizes to help make the migration to Windows 10 as easy as possible.
For smaller businesses, it is offering HP Subscription, which it says is a new way to access the latest PC technology for a monthly fee. The service gives SMBs the ability to select a bundle of hardware, software and services designed for ease of use and more predictable refresh every two to three years.
For corporate and enterprise organisations, HP offers a full suite of services, including client configuration and deployment services, to help customers migrate and transform to Windows 10. Leveraging its experience with Windows XP to Windows 7 migrations, HP will help customers assess, prepare and deploy Windows 10 in alignment with their workplace and mobility initiatives.
Watch this space for a hands-on review of EliteBook Folio 1020.
www.hp.com/go/WIN10forbusiness
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers