New Smart Card Protects Personal Computers From Unauthorized Access

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, August 9, 1999

Dual-Layer Security Solution Protects Laptops, Desktops, From Intrusion

PubliCARD Inc. has just launched PCDefender, a smart card-based information security solution designed to protect desktop and laptop computers against unauthorized access to systems and data. Developed by PubliCARD subsidiary Tritheim Technologies Inc., PCDefender is a centrally managed, smart card-based Windows utility that protects PCs and data from intrusion.Users distribute password-protected smart cards to employees.The cards afford all employees varied levels of access to company files and transaction capabilities, with built-in authentication.

A user is unable even to boot up his or her computer without inserting the smart card into the reader first.PCDefender then provides full disk, directory, file and text encryption.The encryption key is stored securely on the smart card.

"In a day and age when organizations are storing large amounts of sensitive data on their PCs, combined with the fact that the Internet is continually changing the way they do business, the need for computer security is paramount," says Richard Phillimore, executive vice president for smart card businesses at PubliCARD."Furthermore, laptop theft is a fast-growing concern today, but with PCDefender, even though you may have lost your PC, the thief cannot access any data.This type of security is PCDefender's specialty."

Designed to protect individual workstations from unauthorized access to and deletion of files, PCDefender allows multiple employees to use the same workstation while maintaining different access rights and user profiles.

For example, employees on different shifts can use the same workstation but each would have different desktop icons, folders and access privileges.PCDefender also defines standardized working environments in which an internal system administrator can enforce and change access levels designated by the PCDefender software.

To spur interest in the new security solution, Phillimore says PubliCARD is offering a special introductory program. Companies must be multi-user environments to qualify for the offer, under which PubliCARD furnishes up to 50 PCDefender units and training for a free 30-day evaluation.