How It Works
Encryption Plus Hard Disk includes an Administrator Program and a User
Program.
The Administrator Program
The powerful Administrator Program generates the User Program via an easy-to-follow
wizard. Using the Administrator Program, the corporate administrator can
create, modify, or revoke a user program account at any time.
Security features administrators can manage include the following:
Control User Password Settings. Require stronger and longer
passwords, restrict the number of times that passwords can be reused,
force users to modify passwords after a specific number of logons.
Expire User Accounts Anytime. Deactivate an account whenever
necessary, and require the user to contact an administrator to authenticate
and gain access.
Enable Data, Network, and Account Protection Features. Additional
functionality for this data security software allows corporate administrators to enable the following safeguards:
- Automatically disable the User Logon if the user fails to successfully
enter a correct user ID and password after a specified number of attempts.
This denies unauthorized individuals access to the computer, applications,
and the network.
- Remotely lock out any User Account at any time, for any reason.
This is valuable when a computer is stolen or if an employee is about
to be terminated.
- Remotely modify Local Administrator accounts. Local Administrators
who may be reassigned or terminated or who may become suspect can
be denied the ability to access the user accounts they manage.
Other administrator features include the following:
Allow Background Encryption. Allow employees to use their computers
while initial encryption of the hard drive takes place. Eliminates user
downtime.
Adjust Initial Encryption Speed. Faster speed settings
draw more resources from the microprocessor. Slower speed settings allow
users to draw more power from the CPU while initial encryption is taking
place. Even with the slower speed settings, users can still use their
computers while initial hard disk encryption takes place.
Enable Single Sign-On/Password Synchronization. Manage network
access by enabling or disabling Single Sign-On, and Windows Password Synchronization. Encryption Plus Hard
Disk supports Windows and Novell for identifying and authenticating
users to the network.
Distributing the User Program
Administrators can deploy the User Program by remote silent installation.
Remote silent installation does not require the user or an administrator
to be physically present at a workstation during installation of the user
program. Administrators can silently and automatically boot users' protected
computers. No one is required to respond to installation prompts or to
initiate a restart process. Various electronic distribution (push) tools
can be used.
In addition, administrators can distribute this data security software
to their users by pre-encrypting computers or ghosting identical hard
drives.
The User Program
Once the User Program is distributed, users must create a user ID
and password combination, based on the requirements defined in the Administrator Program.
Data protection begins immediately. Thereafter, encryption and decryption work
on-the-fly, transparently. Users are free to work as usual.
Encryption Plus Hard Disk requires no user training. Users must know
how to create a user ID and password — that's all.
Initial Encryption
Based on settings, hard drive encryption begins the moment the program is installed. Initial encryption takes very little time. Some drives can be fully encrypted at a rate of two minutes per gigabyte — or less.
Simplified Password Recovery
When users forget their passwords, they do not call the Help Desk for
support. Encryption Plus Hard Disk will automatically launch Authenti-Check®,
GuardianEdge's secure self-service password recovery program. Users regain
access to their computers after they create a new password.
Alternatively, administrators can remotely help users regain access to
computers via the One-Time Password Recovery program, a simple to use
challenge-response administrative program for authenticating and controlling
users.
Server Console Available
For administrators that want a centralized, server-based console to monitor,
manage, and update Encryption Plus Hard Disk user accounts, GuardianEdge
offers the Encryption
Plus Management Console.
Encryption Plus Management Console is an optional web server that provides
real-time centralized management and auditing access. It offers remote
administrative control over user password settings, Single Sign-On, account
expiration, and more, including remote administrative recovery.