HP Delivers Smarter, Simpler Technology to Help Keep Small and Mid-sized Businesses Safe
HP engineers affordable, reliable, secure products and services for SMBs
San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 9, 2004 – HP has expanded its Smart Office portfolio for small and mid-sized businesses with the unveiling of a simple blueprint for IT security and an expanded portfolio of more secure, reliable products and services specifically tailored to proactively address the security exposures faced by small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). In a recent AMI study (see note 1), SMBs identified security as a top priority as Internet connectivity with suppliers, vendors customers becomes a business necessity. Small businesses have spent nearly one billion dollars, and mid- size businesses more than $1.67 billion, on anti-virus, anti-spam, intrusion detection firewalls and other IT security measures.
“Keeping businesses secure is a key focus of HP's Smart Office initiative, which provides small and mid-sized business customers more reliable, affordable technology -- and today's expansion of our security portfolio is the next of many advances you'll see from HP in this space,” said Kevin Gilroy, worldwide senior vice president and general manager, HP small and medium business segment. “HP and its channel partners are helping SMB customers take care of security issues so they don’t have to worry about potential exposures, and can keep better focused on their business.”
HP Layers of Security Simplify the Security Conversation for SMB Customers
Research shows that SMB customers realize it takes more than just the basics like virus protection to keep their business secure, but aren’t always sure how to take the next steps. HP has developed a simple blueprint to easily explain each layer of security needed to protect an SMB against risk exposure and business disruption caused by viruses, spyware, spam, intrusion and outdated security.
Along with leading security industry partners, HP is adding new solutions to its existing SMB portfolio within six basic layers of security. This includes expansion of the HP ProtectTools security portfolio of embedded hardware and software security for all client systems; unauthorized access, antivirus and anti-spam protection and management for servers, imaging and printing systems and the network, as well as online educational resources for security issues faced by SMB customers.
The most basic level of security is physical security. HP offers a variety of external and internal locks, cables, clamps and brackets that protect technology equipment from being stolen or prevent access to the internal components of the system. The second level is data security. HP restricts access to electronic information to help ensure that only the appropriate people are allowed access to confidential information.
New solutions at the data security level include:
HP ProtectTools Credential Manager: This graphical user interface (GUI) is an option on HP notebook and desktop PCs and provides authentication for Microsoft Windows® log-in and single sign-on capability to automatically recall credentials for web sites, applications, and protected network resources. Automatically protected via the HP ProtectTools Embedded Security Chip, based on the Trusted Platform Module from the Trusted Computing Group, users’ single sign-on and login information is virtually impossible to hack. And with the HP ProtectTools Smart Card Security Option, HP is the only leading technology company to offer a pre-boot smart card. A pre-boot smart card provides an additional layer of security before a notebook or desktop even powers up, preventing hackers from bypassing the simple password-only logins and smart cards like those offered by HP competitors.
HP ProtectTools for the new iPAQ Pocket PC hx2000: Secured by CREDANT Technologies, this out-of-the-box secure mobility solution goes beyond a simple password feature. Previously available only on the HP iPAQ hx4700, the software encrypts all data and requires the user to key in a PIN, simple password or strong password. Even stronger mobile security is provided when coupled with the new HP iPAQ Pocket PC hx2000, featuring an integrated biometric fingerprint reader and starting at $349.
HP Secure Disk Erase: HP Secure Disk Erase is an extensive, built-in security feature on supported HP multifunction peripherals (MFP) that helps ensure confidential documents are protected from unauthorized access. This capability allows print, scan, fax, and copy jobs to be erased from supported MFP hard disk drives. HP Secure Disk Erase is a standard feature on certain HP MFP’s and provides a choice of three different levels of disk security that meet U.S. Department of Defense requirements for clearing disk media.
The next layer is application security, which protects all applications (including operating systems) from application-destined viruses, worms or threats that result in corruption, misuse or inaccessibility of the application.
90-day Free Trend Micro Client/Server/Messaging Suite for SMB: For SMBs deploying Microsoft Small Business Server 2003®, HP is offering ProLiant server customers a 90-day free license for the comprehensive Trend Micro antivirus, antispam, anti-spyware, and email filtering software with Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 on HP ProLiant servers, featuring a user interface designed specifically for non-technical small business users.
"Trend Micro Client/Server/Messaging Suite for SMB pre-installed on the HP ProLiant servers provides small businesses with a readily deployable server and security platform," said Steve Quane, Corporate Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Trend Micro. "With this offering our companies will help increase small businesses' productivity with comprehensive, easy-to-deploy, use and maintain security solutions for combating viruses and spam.”
60 days Free Symantec Norton Antivirus Software: New HP notebook and desktop PCs feature a pre-installed Symantec’s Norton Antivirus software with a 60 day subscription to Norton's Live Update, which stops worms from spreading themselves via e-mail, automatically eliminates entire messages and attachments generated by mass mailer worms, and scans in-memory processes for threats and terminates them if infected. At the end of the 60 days, SMB customers can extend their service to a full year for just $24.95, less than half the regular one-year shelf purchase price of $70.
Sygate Security Agent for HP Thin Clients: Sygate Security Agent 4.0 for Microsoft Windows® XP Embedded will be pre-loaded on HP Compaq t5710 Thin Clients beginning January, 2005, providing an application-centric firewall, application-based intrusion prevention engine and enhanced virus protection for SMB customers employing server-based computing environments. In addition, the new Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 (SP2) will address challenges to the security of the Windows operating system with better shielding of the network, enhanced memory protection and more secure Internet browsing. Customers will have the option to purchase regular updates to the software to help them stay protected from the latest threats.
“Embedded systems have typically represented a challenging aspect of information security, yet our view has always been that you can’t have a successful protection strategy unless you protect all of your endpoints,” said John De Santis, CEO, Sygate Technologies. “HP recognizes the value of building security into the core of its thin client products, and we’ve worked to make the process as affordable, easy to use, easy to integrate with existing infrastructure and as simple to manage for its customers as possible.
HP ProLiant DL320 Firewall/VPN/Cache Server running Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004: Announced in May, this affordable security solution is priced starting at $2,700 and integrated with a reliable and trusted industry standard server platform. Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration® (ISA) Server 2004 software identifies application layer threats that could successfully penetrate other network level firewalls by deeply examining packet contents. The 20-year history of collaboration and innovation between the two companies provides joint HP and Microsoft customers with the solutions and technology they need to solve real business problems.
“We're small now, but we have very big plans. We chose HP and Microsoft because their solutions give us the same flexibility, scalability and security as large corporations,” said Mike Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of ZiXXo Inc., Silicon Valley company that provides free, local classified advertising and print-on-demand coupons from local businesses through localized web sites. ”We can add servers and additional licenses as our needs demand and grow our infrastructure at our own pace. That means we keep our IT costs as low as possible, yet provide highly reliable, responsive services at every stage.”
“Small and midsized customers have told us they are looking for a cost-effective, easy-to-implement firewall solution that offers a new level of protection from internet threats,” said Marcus Schmidt, senior product manager at Microsoft. “The combination of ISA Server 2004 pre-loaded and pre-configured on the HP ProLiant DL320 Firewall/VPN/Cache Server and inclusion in HP’s Smart Office Portfolio really delivers an ideal solution for these customers.”
Following is the network security layer, which utilizes applications, such as antivirus software and software firewalls, to block incoming attacks on, and unauthorized access to, the network.
ProCurve Networking by HP Access Control Security Solution: With this comprehensive network authentication solution added to HP ProCurve networking products, unauthorized users can no longer gain access to the network, thus helping prevent potential security breaches inside wired and wireless domains.
Security Management, the next layer of security, centralizes security management to assess overall vulnerability, and manages patches and updates carefully.
SMB customers can now identify and remediate known security vulnerabilities on HP ProLiant servers arising from operating system mis-configurations and missing patches that can be exploited by viruses, worms and blended threats. HP has again captured a first in server management by integrating vulnerability and patch management into HP Systems Insight Manager; simplifying and consolidating the proactive identification and resolution of issues that can impact server availability into one central console. Available mid-December for just $249, the ProLiant Essentials Vulnerability and Patch Management Pack is powered by HP’s own Radia patch management technology and the well-established vulnerability scanning technology from Harris Corporation.
The final layer of security is delivered security services from HP and its expert channel partners, who work with SMB customers to identify advanced security needs and develop customized solutions.
HP Security Vulnerability Assessment Service for SMB: Announced in October, HP security experts prepare an analysis unique to each customer’s information technology environment with clear direction on the steps to take to make their network more secure, all in strict confidence, and at the most affordable price in the industry. Starting as low as $1,495, two different levels of service provide small or medium businesses the elements needed to build a cost-effective and comprehensive security plan, including a security architecture and policy review (wired and wireless), penetration testing of perimeter systems, a discovery and recommendations report and consulting/ best practices sharing.
HP’s SMB Layers of Security Solution can be deployed utilizing all routes to market. Through HP’s extensive network of Reseller Solution Providers, SMB customers have access to a wealth of local, industry-specific IT specialists who offer a wide variety of security services in conjunction with HP’s security offerings and services.
Expertise Center Provides Convenient Access to Security Training, Information
The new SMB Security Expertise Center is an easy to navigate website that highlights the full portfolio of HP products and services, as well as provides SMB customers with access to expert HP security information and resources. The Expertise Center features two free online courses, one instructor led and one self paced, to help SMBs acquire the skills to build an effective security plan.
The Security 101 course is designed for business owners in small- to medium-sized business environments will be a first step for many professionals who are familiar with business practices and processes, but have little experience with security policy and the many threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation steps available to modern businesses. The instructor-led course introduces the importance of security planning and policy and explores the different types of security threats to business systems and data, and provides the skills needed to begin building an effective security plan.
For SMB owners who know that they need to better protect their business, but need help kick-starting the process, the Quick Start self-paced course provides a step-by-step guide for putting security plans in place. Following HP's layers of security approach to safeguard different areas of business based on real business priorities, SMB customers will learn how to systematically and practically secure their business.
The Expertise Center also features HP Learning Curve, an easy-to-access source for educational resources such as white papers, articles and other materials focused on security issues faced by small and mid-sized businesses. HP helps micro, small and medium businesses maximize current IT budgets to acquire these security and other technology solutions with a variety of HP Financial Services Smart Finance Service programs. More information about HP Financial Services is available at www.hp.com/hpfinancialservices/small_medium.html
More information about these products and HP’s entire security portfolio is available at http://www.hp.com/sbso/security/index.html.
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Notes:
1 - Miglani, Anil. “U.S. Small and Medium Business IT Security Spending.” AMI Research. October 2004.
About HP
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