Two-factor checks give PCs extra security layer

Pointsec has updated its PC security tools to work with smartcards and tokens

Pointsec Mobile Technologies will today release a new version of its security tool for PCs. The update adds support for third-party user authentication devices such as smartcards and USB tokens, increasing the security of data on client systems through two-factor user authentication.

Pointsec for PC version 6.0 will work with security kit from third-parties, the first of which is smartcard firm Axalto. "The major part of [version 6.0] is a way of incorporating our encryption software with a number of two-way authentication devices from partners," said Pointsec UK managing director Martin Allen. Pointsec for PC encrypts the entire contents of the hard drive on desktop and laptop systems running Windows or Linux and requires a password at boot time to unlock access.

The tie-up with vendors such as Axalto means that companies can additionally require users to have a smartcard or token holding their user credentials in addition to supplying a password.

"Our Protiva smartcards and tokens already offer enterprise customers a secure, convenient way to protect against unauthorised access," said Axalto vice-president Francois Lasnier. "Combined with Pointsec's full disk encryption solutions, it provides an additional level of security by increasing the security of end-point devices." Pointsec said the two-factor support is currently only for PC systems, but its policy is to extend it across other platforms.

The company also ships encryption tools for mobile devices running Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Symbian platforms, and it is "not inconceivable" that these will get similar support, Allen said.