IBM swipes at security with fingerprint-reading Thinkpad

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 4 Oct 2004 at 13:32

IBM has released a biometric Thinkpad - the T42 laptop incorporates a fingerprint sensor for managing passwords and controlling access to sensitive documents and data.

Placed at the bottom right-hand side of the laptop, the sensor is a 'swipe reader' - you drag a chosen digit over the reader rather than placing it full-square on a larger sensor (which can leave a residue from imprints). The scan-type of reader can also captures more data than the traditional 'picture' approach, which also helps prevent misidentification.

'Today we raised the bar on security for the entire PC industry,' said Fran O'Sullivan, general manager of IBM's Personal Computing Division. 'What was once considered sci-fi technology is now available to all enterprises, large and small, in the notebook of choice for everyday business. The first biometric ThinkPad combines a fingerprint reader with an Embedded Security Subsystem, providing a layer of security that is built in, not bolted on.'

Running on an Intel 745 Pentium M 1.8 GHz processor and weighing from 4.5 pounds, IBM claims a battery life of up to 7.5 hours. There's tri-mode support for a/b/g 802.11 wireless networking.

IBM has also updated its Client Security Software, which controls its hardware and software-based Embedded Security Subsystem. As well as supporting the new fingerprint reader, with version 5.4 the download and installation of the software has been simplified into one bundle, containing the previously separate drivers and password manager that had to be installed in a particular order. There's also improved wireless connectivity, including increased support for encryption via the 802.11i security standard.

Finally, IBM also announced a partnership with Utimaco. It will resell Utimaco software to enable users to fully encrypt their entire hard drive. Compatible with IBM's Rescue and Recovery suite, it is designed to protect data in the case of notebook theft.

The ThinkPad T42 notebook should be available from 19 October, with prices - for models with a fingerprint reader - starting at £1,300. More information can be found at www.ibm.com/think.