SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 18, 2013) - SPYRUS today announced the availability of the SPYRUS WorkSafe and WorkSafe Pro portable SSD live drives for Windows To Go built using the Windows 8.1 update. WorkSafe transforms almost any PC into trustworthy workspaces. SPYRUS live drives embed hardware smart cards to provide tamper-proof digital certificates for authentication and encryption. These highly secure bootable devices defend the operating system, documents, and identity credentials from tampering and theft with layered hardware and software encryption.
WorkSafe live drives provide a true, American-made, trusted end point for secure network access and simultaneously protect enterprise networks with multi-factor authentication using smart card digital certificates. Enterprises can leverage their investment in public key and smart card infrastructures, extending their trusted foundation for smart card login, VPN access, secure email, and authenticated online collaboration. A SPYRUS ToughBoot™ loader digitally signed by Microsoft mitigates against hacking attacks during the boot sequence when using UEFI Secure Boot available on newer computers. If any tampering or malfunction of hardware or firmware is detected, the boot process will not continue.
"Users can enjoy the enterprise benefits of Windows 8.1 and the freedom of a pocket-sized device with the SPYRUS secure Microsoft certified Windows To Go drives," said Stella Chernyak, senior director, Windows product marketing, Microsoft Corp. "The new multifactor authentication built into the SPYRUS WorkSafe live drives makes it ideal for secure, authenticated access to corporate networks."
The SPYRUS Rosetta smart card designed into the WorkSafe product line provides additional security services for strong encryption with authentication, non-repudiation, and auditing capabilities. Enhanced algorithm support for the future includes elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), making the WorkSafe drive an economical protected desktop for enterprise customers. WorkSafe live drives support ECC using high-strength P-256, P-384, and P-521 curves and the EC Diffie-Hellman key establishment schemes in accordance with NIST SP 800-56 Key Establishment Guidelines.
The WorkSafe PKI feature uses the latest approaches to random number and key generation. A true hardware-based random-number generator (RNG) is extensively filtered and tested, and then used to seed an approved high-strength, hash-based algorithm. RSA keys are generated in accordance with the latest X9.31 specification, as required for FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification.
The WorkSafe PKI feature, with the SPYRUS Minidriver to manage digital signatures, allows the enterprise to perform standard smart card security functions such as encrypted email, multi-factor authentication, smart card logon, and VPN access.
The combination of the Microsoft public key, smart card-enabled echo system, and SPYRUS security applications provides for a true end-to-end security approach for extending the enterprise smart card and PKI infrastructure to mobile users. The SEMS device management system allows enterprise administrators to register, block/unblock, revoke, set policies, audit, and "kill" the SPYRUS WorkSafe products from a central location.
"Technical leadership, hardware security, onboard FIPS 140-2 Level 3 PKI capabilities, ultra-high performance, and the new features of Windows 8.1 make the SPYRUS WorkSafe live drives the choice for a Windows To Go platform," said Tom Dickens, COO SPYRUS. "By using WorkSafe drives, corporations may finally realize significant cost savings by repurposing employee owned or corporate legacy computers."
SPYRUS WorkSafe live drives and other Secured by SPYRUS™ USB encryption drives can be ordered immediately from SPYRUS and its resellers. Email sales@spyrus.com for more information.
Related Links
Windows To Go Video http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/jj737992
Windows 8.1 Enterprise http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/enterprise-edition.aspx
About SPYRUS, Inc.
SPYRUS delivers innovative encryption solutions that offer the strongest protection for data in motion, data at rest and data at work. For over 20 years, SPYRUS has delivered leading hardware-based encryption, authentication, and digital content security products to government, financial, and health care enterprises. To prevent the insertion of untrusted components, patented Secured by SPYRUS™ security technology is proudly designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA to meet FIPS 140-2 Level 3 standards. SPYRUS has collaborated closely with Microsoft to deliver the first certified hardware encrypted portable platform for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Window 8.1. SPYRUS is headquartered in San Jose, California. See www.spyruswtg.com for more information.
SPYRUS, the SPYRUS logo, and ToughBoot are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SPYRUS, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. All other company, organization, and product names are trademarks of their respective organizations.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Review units of SPYRUS WorkSafe and WorkSafe Pro portable SSD live drives for Windows To Go are available by emailing Dan Chmielewski at dchm@madisonalexanderpr.com.