The ultimate solution for securing laptop storage?

In preparation for my session at the upcoming Gartner Security Conference, I’ve been reviewing Intel’s Anti-Theft Technology. Have you seen it? It’s pretty neat and is a unique approach to the mobile security dilemma.

Basically, Intel is starting to integrate laptop security into their 2010 Intel Core hardware which promises to:

1. Detect suspicious behavior that could indicate someone trying to break into the computer.
2. Guard your hardware even if your hard drive is removed, replaced or reformatted.
3. Restore operation when (if) the laptop is recovered.

Intel claims the technology will work even if someone re-images the system, changes the boot order, installs a new drive, or keeps the system off the Internet.

Now this is change we can believe in!

I’ve always thought that unless and until the vendors integrate controls such as Intel’s Anti-Theft Technology and drive encryption from the factory, we’re going to continue having a ridiculous amount of mobile security breaches. Sure, these technologies aren’t going to run themselves, but I believe them being built-in will dramatically increase the chances that they’ll be used.

I’ll give it a few more years, but I think my continual ranting about mobile security may eventually come to an end.

Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, keynote speaker, and expert witness with Principle Logic, LLC and a contributor to the IT Watch Blog.