Phoenix adds security at the hardware level

By Steve Malone

Posted on 27 Nov 2003 at 11:29

The major BIOS developer, Phoenix Technologies has unveiled its first product based on its new extensible Core System Software (CSS). The new technology has been built with security in mind and offers embedded security features that protect the core system software from malicious attack and a security API.

The first products to benefit from the new cME Trusted Core NB are notebooks and tablet PCs, which are particularly vulnerable to being lost, stolen or provide points of vulnerability when they log on to corporate networks remotely. By building security at the hardware level Phoenix believes that companies will not only be safer from virus and hacker attack but will give them the freedom to roll out secure connections, access to sensitive resources and policy management.

The cME Trusted Core NB, offers a platform for the authentication of digital signatures and encrypting data on the machine. A Host Protected Area (HPA) allows software built into the system to execute securely without being vulnerable to malicious attack. The Cryptographic Service Provider prevents identify theft on a Windows PC and also prevents duplication of digital certificates, which will doubtless be welcomed by software developers as a useful tool in the battle against piracy. Finally Secure Flash protects systems against damage to the CSS software.

Also bundled with the cME Trusted Core NB are some non-security related functions such as PCI Express support, xMenu and xPen-2 for better data input without a keyboard and PCI Memory Space Optimisation.