Asset Management Portal offers post-theft forensic auditing.
Press Release Summary:
Customer Center enables organizations to determine, remotely, whether sensitive information on lost or stolen computers has been accessed by thieves. Ability to track computers off network, physically recover missing computers, and remotely delete sensitive information with assurance that data has not been accessed by criminals is essential for compliance with data protection regulations. Additional functionality confirms if encrypted volume or password was compromised.
Original Press Release:
Absolute Unveils Post-Theft Forensic Auditing Services
Computrace enables organizations to confirm compliance with data privacy regulations on lost and stolen laptops
VANCOUVER, April 9 -- Absolute(R) Software Corporation ("Absolute" or the "Company") (TSX: ABT), the leading provider of firmware-based, patented, Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions today announced new functionality for its online Customer Center. Using new tools added to the online IT asset management portal, organizations can determine whether sensitive information on lost or stolen computers has been accessed by computer criminals. The new service is complemented by the industry's only Theft Recovery Team, a licensed private investigation agency staffed by former law enforcement detectives.
"The ability to track computers off the network, physically recover missing computers and remotely delete sensitive information with the assurance that the data has not been accessed by criminals is essential for true compliance with data protection regulations," said John Livingston, Chairman and CEO of Absolute Software. "In data breach situations, maintaining the trust of stakeholders and valued partners is critical. Our latest Customer Center capabilities provide visibility into the post-theft activities of laptop computers and will allow organizations to prove that they have not only removed sensitive information from a missing computer, but have also determined that the personal information of their stakeholders is safe. Further, if the computer was encrypted, our service will enable an organization to confirm that the encrypted volume or password was not compromised, making it an essential layer of data protection."
Customer Center: The Interface for Asset Management and IT Security
Once customers have activated the BIOS-embedded Computrace agent on their computers, they are then able to access Absolute's secure online Customer Center to protect and manage their computer populations. As the user interface for information flowing from the BIOS-embedded(1) Computrace application, Absolute's Customer Center is the only IT asset management tool that allows IT administrators to:
- Instantly prepare a detailed IT audit of computers off the LAN;
- Remotely delete sensitive information from lost or stolen computers;
- Monitor where their computers are, who is logging in and what is installed;
- Immediately identify computers that drift into unauthorized hands; and
- Detect unauthorized software or hardware changes on mobile computers.
Absolute's new Customer Center enhancements add post-theft forensic auditing capabilities to Absolute's remote data delete services. Using the new functionality, organizations can accurately determine whether potentially sensitive files stored on lost or stolen computers have been accessed by unauthorized users.
According to Brad Myrvold, Manager of Desktop Technology, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, "Increasing our knowledge on the activities of lost or stolen computers is a step towards demonstrating that organizations are doing their utmost to protect private information. Knowing whether private information on missing computers has been accessed by thieves is a very important piece of that puzzle."
Theft Recovery Team: Complementing Technology with Real-World Services
Unique to the software industry, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team is a licensed private investigation agency. The team uses information sent via Absolute's Computrace solution to investigate computer crimes and deliver evidence to police for the physical recovery of missing computers. With over 600 years of combined law enforcement experience, the team provides comprehensive investigation services to Absolute customers and local police forces who locate and recover stolen computers.
Successful investigations utilizing Computrace technology have recovered nearly 6,000 computers to date and currently average between 70 and 100 recoveries per week.
According to the IT Operations Manager at one of America's largest homebuilders and a long-time Absolute customer, "The Absolute Theft Recovery Team is a key element in Absolute's offering. Some products use other methods to locate a lost computer but this information is totally useless without a team of investigators to compile a bullet-proof case and take that evidence to police detectives. After all, you're not going to recover the computer without help from local police. The team has recovered nearly 100 computers for us - saving our organization a lot of time, money and headaches."
For more information on Absolute Software and its range of Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions, please visit www.absolute.com or www.lojackforlaptops.com.
(1) For a complete list of BIOS-supported computers visit www.absolute.com/BIOS.
About Absolute Software
Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in Computer Theft Recovery, Data Protection and Secure Asset Tracking(TM) solutions. Absolute Software provides organizations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's Computrace(R) software is embedded in the BIOS of computers by global leaders, including Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, General Dynamics Itronix, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit www.absolute.com.
(C) 2008 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. Computrace U.S. patents # 5,715,174, # 5,764,892, # 5,802,280, # 5,896,497, # 6,244,758, # 6,269,392, # 6,300,863, and # 6,507,914. Canadian patents # 2,284,806 and # 2,205,370. U.K. patents # EP793823 and # GB2338101. German patent # 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent # 699045. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.
CONTACT: Public Relations: Leslie Campisi, Affect Strategies, leslie@affectstrategies.com or (212) 398-9680 x144
