globull mobile security platform eliminates vulnerabilities of unsecured PCs and USB keys

(24/03/2009)

Police figures show that on average 34,000 notebooks are stolen every year in the UK
The MoD admitted in July 2008 that 658 laptops have been stolen over a four year period, and in Feb 2008 the Government admitted that over 200 laptops had been stolen from various departments such as the Ministry of Justice and Northern Ireland Office.

The open world of today demands increasing mobility of staff but also of their access to data. Many organisations require their key staff to carry out much of their work-related activity outside corporate office locations. These working practices carry with them increasing risks of industrial espionage and the theft of sensitive data. These losses do not merely have major impact in terms of productivity and competiveness, but also harm the corporate image – when data is lost so is trust. And this does not start to take into account the financial penalties.

Bull has announced the launch of globull, a premier platform for mobile security, a secure solution for mobile working. globull permits the user to take their working environment anywhere, representing a comprehensive answer to the demands of mobile IT security, by combining a portable external disk device with a military-grade encryption chip.

A handheld electronic vault, similar in size and weight to popular PDAs, globull eliminates the existing vulnerabilities of unsecured PCs and USB keys. At the same time globull delivers mobility by allowing the user to take with them their entire working environment, without taking the PC. globull facilitates location independent working on any Windows® or Linux compatible workstation without requiring local hard disk access, leaving zero footprint on the host workstation.

In summary, the user keeps the heart of their PC with them – mobility is delivered with complete security confidence.

Bull is one of the pioneers in the field of computer security, from its long-term engagement in the development of industry standards (smart card, PKI, coding, DCE/Kerberos, secure Java and XML etc) and by its participation in major European security projects. globull applies to PC security Bull’s considerable security know-how from decades of working in the military field.


globull builds on these strengths and introduces 3 great innovations:

1. Protected storage built around a very high performance cryptographic processor guaranteeing total data confidentiality: globull’s security layer is a practical application of CIK (Crypto Ignition Key) technology, originally developed for the US National Security Agency. This security co-processor has been developed entirely by Bull, protecting the data from attempted cracking of encryption keys if the device is lost or stolen.

2. Access to data is protected by strong authentication, independent of the operating system: A PIN code or pass-phrase must be entered on globull’s touch-screen, not typed in on the PC keyboard, eliminating exposure to key-logger spyware.

3. Client Virtualisation environment, allowing a standardised installation of Windows or Linux on any system: With this solution it is possible for the user to carry around their personal data, settings and programs to run offline on almost any workstation.

With globull, organisations can ensure successful rollout of mobile-working projects whilst protecting business-critical data, in all market sectors. globull is intended both for enterprises where significant value exists in intellectual property and also public bodies where confidentiality is paramount.

globull is suitable for knowledge workers who regularly work on the move with vital and potentially sensitive data: these might include executives, politicians, diplomats, consultants, accountants, lawyers, health professionals, emergency service workers, criminal justice professionals, sales executives, insurance assessors and adjustors, software engineers, journalists and even fashion designers, to name a few.

globull provides Chief Information Security Officers [CISO] and Security Information Risk Officers [SIRO] with a solution for implementing new Government procedures for ‘protected personal data’.

Bull Information Systems will be demonstrating globull at InfoSecurity Europe.

Related topics:  Data management and data security   Encryption   Mobile and Wireless Security 

Print version | Email to a friend | Related articles

Data breaches: Trends, costs and best practices gives you all the latest information on securing personal and corporate data, key recommendations for immediate action to improve data security, and how to respond to data breaches.

Other Security news and resources