PC Security: Dell Launches Security Initiative for Enterprise Customers. Initiative Includes Consulting Alliance with Ernst & Young LLP, Theft Tracking Support and Mandatory Hard Drive Password Feature - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Oct 12, 1998

Dell Computer Corporation, the world's leading direct computer systems company, Tuesday announced DellGuard, an initiative designed for customers of Dell's Latitude notebook, OptiPlex desktop, Dell Precision workstation and PowerEdge server product lines to help guard against the theft of corporate data and computer assets.

The initiative launches an alliance with Ernst & Young LLP to provide consulting assistance on enterprise security policy development and deployment. It also includes a Dell toll-free phone number (1-877-DELL-THEFT) to report stolen computer systems and a mandatory hard drive password feature for the Latitude product line, available at no charge.

"Security is one of the growing concerns of IT managers today, particularly with mobile products," said Carl Everett, senior vice president, Personal Systems Group, Dell Computer Corporation. "The first step in our initiative is to provide our customers with practical features, coupled with the consulting services to design tailored security solutions. Throughout our initiative we will focus on industry standards to help ensure interoperability."

For companies interested in enterprise-wide security policies, Dell has entered into an alliance with Ernst & Young LLP. The alliance will enhance the firms' ability to supply Dell customers with security recommendations that are consistent with Dell's current and future products. Ernst & Young LLP was chosen to become a member of Dell's expanding network of service alliances based on the consulting firm's expertise in the security field and its understanding of both Dell's product line and direct business model. Dell will expand its security alliances over time.

"We're pleased to be working with Dell on information security for our mutual clients," said Jon Darbyshire, national director, Information Security Services, Ernst & Young LLP. "Our survey work shows security is critical to the growth of electronic commerce and it will become increasingly important to organizations as they rely on technology to drive marketing and sales support, supply chains and other business operations."

For asset protection, DellGuard offers Dell's support in tracking stolen computer systems. If a system is stolen, victims can report their loss by calling 1-877-DELL-THEFT and the tag number will be noted in the Dell product support database. When someone calls Dell seeking support on the stolen computer, the Dell support technician informs the caller that the hardware has been reported stolen and service is denied. The information is then passed on to Dell's Global Security team who will work with the appropriate authorities to assist the owner in retrieving the stolen system.

Notebook theft jumped 17 percent over the previous year, according to a 1997 report by Safeware, a Columbus, Ohio-based insurer of computers. The firm says 309,000 portable computers were stolen in 1997, amounting to losses of more than $1 billion.

The mandatory hard drive password enables IT managers to require some or all users to always provide a hard drive password before gaining access to the data on the hard drive, even if that hard drive is moved to another computer. Now a standard feature on the entire Latitude notebook line, Dell plans to include the data security feature on the Dell OptiPlex desktops and Dell Precision workstations product lines in the future.

Ranked No. 125 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 363 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $15.2 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 1-800-388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.