NTT Domoco and Symantec in Managed Services to Protect Data on Lost Laptops

NTT DOCOMO Inc. and Symantec Corp. announced that DOCOMO will offer its customers a new 3G-mobile managed service featuring Symantec’s PGP Whole Disk Encryption with Remote Disable & Destroy, powered by Intel Anti-Theft Technology.

The service, expected to be available to customers in Japan during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 beginning this April, will enable DOCOMO customers to protect the sensitive data that resides on their laptops, deter thefts and protect systems.

Based on joint development between Symantec and DOCOMO, the service will allow DOCOMO customers to remotely disable a laptop computer by either locking it or destroying the data on its hard drive. Administrators can remotely disable a lost or stolen laptop via a secure SMS message, sent either via the DOCOMO 3G network management server or a roaming network if the computer is lost overseas.

DOCOMO customers will also be able to remotely block the boot process and prevent access to encrypted data, even if the computer’s main power is switched off. With Symantec’s PGP encryption technology, DOCOMO customers can ensure that their data are safe no matter where the computer goes missing, and even if the thief knows the user’s password. If the lost or stolen laptop is recovered, the system can be easily reactivated and the data recovered in just moments.

DOCOMO will support Intel Anti-Theft-enabled laptops with Ericsson 3G mobile broadband modules to enable their systems to receive the SMS messages. The solution will support any laptop computer equipped with Intel Anti-Theft Technology and the Ericsson 3G mobile broadband module F5521gw, regardless of the manufacturer.

While the use of laptops increases employee efficiency out of the office, remote work also increases the risk of data loss. This collaboration between Symantec and DOCOMO will give customers the confidence that the information on their computers is protected in and out of the office, enabling employees to achieve greater productivity in the field.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with two industry leaders to bring to market a very robust security service combining worldwide mobile broadband reach with strong disk encryption software and the robustness of Intel Anti-Theft Technology for data and asset protection," said George Thangadurai, general manager, PC Client Services, Intel Corp. "DOCOMO is demonstrating their leadership in innovation by rolling out a solution that helps businesses of all sizes protect their most precious asset: information."

"The Ericsson mobile broadband module F5521gw is the only module on the market compatible with Intel Anti-Theft Technology," said Mats Norin, vice president, Mobile Broadband Modules, Ericsson AB. "We are excited that DOCOMO and Symantec jointly developed an anti-theft solution based on our module to protect the increasing amount of user data stored on connected notebooks."