Dell Targets Endpoint With Expanded Encryption Suite

Dell has recognised businesses’ continuing difficulty of securing the wide variety of device endpoints after it launched “phase 2” of its Dell Data Protection Encryption portfolio.

Dell announced “simple, comprehensive and flexible encryption” features to expand its data protection and encryption portfolio 12 October at its DellWorld conference in Austin, Texas.

The Dell offerings allow IT to protect data based on users, user groups, data sensitivity and performance needs, according to Kirk Schell, executive director and general manager of Dell’s business client product group. Dell is protecting both the data on endpoints as well as the information flowing through system ports, Schell said.

Encryption Protection

Organisations are trying to minimise risk from lost, stolen or compromised devices and external media. Encrypting the data stored on these devices ensures that information remains safe regardless of the device’s physical location.

“Endpoint security management has become more complex and costly due to a number of factors – from increased worker mobility to the proliferation of threats – and has magnified the importance for protecting critical information on endpoint devices,” Schell wrote on the “Direct2Dell” blog.

Dell first announced the Dell Data Protection Encryption (DDPE) portfolio in November 2010 with partner Credant Technologies.

The expanded portfolio provides organisations with more complete protection. DDPE secures laptops and desktops as well as complementing Dell’s Enterprise Mobility Services and Dell SecureWorks to give customers comprehensive protection for their IT assets, Schell said.

Dell Data Protection Encryption Enterprise Edition includes four key offerings, according to Schell. They are Data-Centric Encryption, Full Volume Encryption, External Media Edition and Microsoft BitLocker Manager. All Dell Data Protection Encryption Enterprise Edition components are managed from a single console, Schell said. Data-Centric Encryption, External Media Edition and BitLocker Manager are available now, while Full Volume Encryption is expected to be available later this year.

SMB Option

Dell is also providing a personal edition for small businesses and organisations that don’t have a centralised IT department. The personal edition allows smaller organisations to set encryption policies on the local system, backup escrow keys and enable a password to ensure policies are not changed. The personal edition will be available 18 October.

Data-centric Encryption provides intelligent software-based encryption for Microsoft Windows and external media. IT departments easily deploy encryption on Microsoft Windows Systems, even on non-Dell systems, Schell said. IT departments have access to one-touch templates to simplify compliance management and auditing. The protection covers both system and attached storage.

Dell also unveiled its exclusive technology, Full Volume Encryption, for select Dell Latitude laptops, OptiPlex desktops and Dell Precision workstations. Full Volume Encryption features military-grade security that meets Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 3 certification. The data protection extends to external media as well as data “flowing out of ports” such as optical, USB, FireWire and eSATA.

The optional hardware encryption accelerator speeds up encryption activities and essentially turns any standard drive into a self-encrypting drive, according to Schell.

“It operates similar to a self-encrypting drive so customers can get better performance than software-based encryption,” Schell said.

The External Media Edition focuses on detachable storage in case the organisation already has a strategy in place to protect desktops and laptops. There is a “minimal impact” on users while giving IT granular control of the data, according to Schell.

Finally, Microsoft BitLocker Manager was developed to help customers who want to use Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption to simplify endpoint management.