Imation Puts Secure Windows 7 Environment on USB Drive

Imation, a company that focuses on data security and storage, announced this week that the latest version of its Stealth Zone mobile workspace (version 2.1) will include a fully functional version of Windows 7.

“As organisations increasingly allow and even encourage employees to work outside traditional offices, and look to enable ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) or contractor access to the organization’s applications, they are in search of solutions that allow authorized users access to information they need without compromising the security of their data,” said Lawrence Reusing, Imation’s general manager for Mobile Security.

Stealth Zone is designed for the mobile workforce, but the tool can also be used for telecommuters and contractors. The managed USB device can be booted into a hardened version of Windows 7, or if needed a separate partition allows it to double as an encrypted flash drive. No matter how it is used, IT has full management rights over the devices from configuration to deployment and management once they are in the field.

As an additional layer of security, the devices themselves can be ordered with multi-factor authentication, biometrics, or both.  

In related news, McAfee announced in May that that would transition their Encrypted USB device business to Imation. Imation will sell the devices and the related management software extension for McAfee’s ePolicy Orchestrator, in addition to providing support to new customers.

More information on Stealth Zone is available here.