The NEC laptops, Versa M370, P570 and S970, combine an advanced, hardware-based security chip - the TPM (Trusted Platform Module), an encrypting disk drive and client management software. These features enable organisations to deploy and manage secure laptops easily and meet data privacy regulations.

“With so many high-profile data breaches making headlines, securing sensitive information at the source—the laptop itself—is fast becoming a top priority for most organisations,” said Olivier Chevance, Client Products Marketing Manager, NEC Computers. “That's why NEC Computers is providing its customers with the most advanced security and management available today within its Versa line of laptops.”

The new data security offering combines the Seagate® Technology (NYSE: STX) Momentus® FDE.2 (Full Disc Encryption) hard drive with DriveTrust™ technology and Wave's (NASDAQ: WAVX) EMBASSY® software into an easy-to-use and scalable solution that enables organisations to provide comprehensive data protection and automated compliance auditing for lost, stolen or recycled laptops. DriveTrust™ is a security platform that combines strong, fully automated hardware-based security with a programming foundation to make it easy to add software security applications and multi-factor authentication including biometrics and smart cards. Momentus 5400 FDE.2 is a 2.5-inch, 5400-rpm hard drive with native government-grade AES encryption.

The NEC/Seagate/Wave offering provides a number of advantages over software-based encryption. The solution is easier to deploy and use, delivers stronger pre-boot security and provides always-on encryption with no impact to system performance. It also simplifiesremote deployment, security policy enforcement, and compliance auditing of laptop computers.

“Theft of intellectual property, customer information and other precious content stored on laptops can cost organizations dearly in legal remedies, customer retention and reputation management,” said Marc Jourlait, vice president of global marketing at Seagate. “Seagate's Momentus 5400 FDE.2 hard drive with the Wave Systems management software enables NEC to deliver notebooks with the strongest, easiest to deploy security available so NEC customers can steer clear of these costly setbacks.”

MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR TRUSTED SECURITY HARDWARE

Also installed on each of the Versa line of laptops is a Trusted Platform Module, which acts as a storage vault for user credentials and offers various advanced security functions, including multi-factor authentication, data protection and ID/password management. An OEM version of Wave's EMBASSY Trust Suite software comes bundled on the Versa TPMs, making it possible for users to manage both their Trusted Drives and TPMs with the same suite of client-side software, assuring compatibility, simplified maintenance and support.

“Companies throughout Europe face increasing pressure to safeguard their information assets,” said Brian Berger, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Wave Systems. “NEC is demonstrating a commitment to helping companies support and manage the strongest levels of authentication and data protection solutions available today."

About NEC Computers

A subsidiary of the Japanese NEC Corporation, NEC Computers is a leading supplier of state of the art servers, desktops and notebook computers, designed and manufactured for the business user. Design, assembly, marketing, support and system integration activities all take place at the technological and industrial facility, based in Angers. Target markets include Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

The Japanese group NEC, reached a $39 billion turnover (fiscal year ended March 2007) with more than 150,000 employees worldwide. As illustrated by the strapline “Empowered by Innovation”, over 6.5% of its turnover is dedicated to R&D, from bioplastics to high performance calculators, NEC Corporation brings technological innovation directly to its clients