Dell Adds BIOS Verification Technology to Business PCs

Dell announced the availability of a new enterprise endpoint security solution that now features post-boot BIOS verification, along with integrated threat protection technology powered by Cylance.

The PC manufacturer said the post-boot BIOS verification technology integrated with the Dell Data Protection | Endpoint Security Suite Enterprise uses a cloud-based environment to compare and test individual BIOS images against official images held by Dell in its BIOS lab.

“By conducting this test in an off-device environment, users can be assured that the post-boot image is not compromised as the testing takes place in a secure cloud platform and not on a potentially infected device,” Dell explained.

The BIOS verification feature will initially be available on Dell’s business PCs with a 6th Generation Intel chipset, including recently announced Latitude PCs, as well as select Dell Precision, OptiPlex, and XPS PCs and Dell Venue Pro tablets.

“The growing complexity of BIOS-specific attacks, and with new malware variants possessing the ability to reinstall themselves within the BIOS, organizations need a more sophisticated way to know that their systems have not been compromised,” Brett Hansen, Executive Director, Data Security Solutions at Dell, said in a statement.

In addition to the new BIOS protections, the endpoint security suite leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning technology from Cylance to block unknown threats and malware.

Customers can remotely manage all components through a console that includes consolidated status and compliance reports. It also satisfies compliance with industry standards, meeting PCI DSS, HIPAA HITECH and Microsoft requirements for anti-virus and anti-malware solutions, Dell said.