Absolute Software [1]said its Computrace LoJack for Laptops service, which helps schools recover lost or stolen laptops, now includes remote locking and messaging capabilities that take advantage of Intel Anti-Theft Technology. When a computer is reported missing, its owner can “lock down” the operating system, rendering the machine useless to unauthorized users. Once the computer is back in the hands of its rightful owner, it can be unlocked through the customer’s LoJack for Laptops account or by typing a password on the computer. To activate the system, users must buy a subscription ranging from one to four years in length.
Black Box Network Services [2]introduced Veri-NAC, a network access control (NAC) system to help protect against network vulnerability. Veri-NAC is a family of NAC appliances that ensure only authorized devices can access a school or district network. The appliances also screen for vulnerabilities in computers connected to the network. If Veri-NAC detects an untrusted asset, it shuts off network access for that device instantly—protecting the network while keeping trusted devices securely online.
F5 Networks [3]discussed its BIG-IP LTM (Local Traffic Manager), a full proxy server that sits between users of a school or district network and the servers that deliver applications to them, creating a layer of abstraction to secure, optimize, and load-balance network traffic. This gives network managers the ability to add servers easily, eliminate network downtime, improve application performance, and meet security needs, F5 said.
Fujitsu [4] discussed PalmSecure, a biometric security system that is highly accurate and easy to use, the company says. The PalmSecure device reads the vein patterns in the palm of a user’s hand to generate a unique biometric signature. Users don’t have to touch the device; they simply hold their hand above a scanner. Access to authorized applications and databases is permitted only with a positive match. According to Fujitsu, vein patterns within the palm are unique to each individual; even identical twins have different palm vein patterns, and these patterns do not change over an adult’s lifetime. Fujitsu says its technology is 100 times more accurate than fingerprint technology. And because the information resides inside your hand, it cannot be stolen by photographing, tracing, or recording—meaning forgery is virtually impossible. Pearson’s computer-based testing business is using PalmSecure to verify the identity of test takers, Fujitsu said.