McAfee Takes Endpoint Security Management to the Hardware Level

McAfee ePO Deep Command enables remote security management access to PCs that may be powered off or disabled.

McAfee continued its push in leveraging hardware technology to improve security this week with the unveiling of McAfee ePO Deep Command.

Deep Command takes advantage of hardware-based capabilities built into laptop and desktop PCs using Intel Core i5 vPro and Intel Core i7 vPro processors. The goal: to use Intel’s Active Management Technology (AMT) to empower administrators to remotely remediate compromised systems regardless of their PC’s power state. By leveraging the Intel AMT Alarm Clock feature, the product gives admins the ability to power on PCs and execute security tasks, according to McAfee.

“Enterprise PCs must be available for end users to be productive,” said Brian Foster, senior vice president of product management at McAfee, in a statement. “McAfee ePO Deep Command enables security administrators to quickly respond to disabled PCs with a remote call for help functionality to ensure proper security is in place to protect against today’s fast propagating threats. McAfee ePO Deep Command allows enterprises to reduce the cost of security operations and manage endpoint security beyond-the-operating system.”

The company made the announcement at its FOCUS 2011 conference in Las Vegas. According to McAfee, ePO Deep Command can send any number of security tasks to an endpoint, such as updating a DAT file or making a security policy change. This allows the security administrators to quickly assess the necessary steps needed to remediate the endpoint, allowing the user to get back to work faster.

McAfee ePO Deep Command and Intel Core vPro processors provide a compelling security management solution that enables malware detection and removal regardless of the PC’s power state,” said Rick Echevarria, vice president of Intel Architecture Group and general manager of Business Client Platforms at Intel, in a statement. “With the ePO Deep Command taking advantage of unique vPro capabilities, IT regains control over its PC fleet through remote remediation of compromised systems, cost- and power-saving opportunities, and the application of policy-based proactive security measures beyond what can be provided within the OS alone.”