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Delivered-To: clips@philodox.com
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:06:26 -0400
To: Philodox Clips List
From: "R. A. Hettinga"
Subject: [Clips] IBM to Offer Encryption System Based on Chips for PCs, PDAs
Reply-To: rah@philodox.com
Sender: clips-bounces@philodox.com
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB114462203713721272.html
The Wall Street Journal
April 10, 2006
IBM to Offer Encryption System
Based on Chips for PCs, PDAs
By WILLIAM M. BULKELEY
April 10, 2006; Page B4
International Business Machines Corp. expects to announce a chip-based
encryption system that could simplify and cut the cost of how information
is secured on personal computers, cellphones and personal digital
assistants.
The technology, "Secure Blue," is a method of designing part of a
microprocessor to encrypt or scramble all the data it handles.
The new encryption system is being launched as companies and governments
are dealing with numerous instances of stealing of private data from laptop
computers. Last month, a laptop containing unencrypted personal data on
196,000 customers was stolen from a Fidelity Investments employee's car.
The design, IBM says, can foil skilled hackers who might try to
reverse-engineer its circuits. "If someone tries to access the chip by
tampering, it can commit suicide on the spot," said Tim Ravy, a vice
president in IBM's technology-collaboration solutions unit. IBM said it has
a customer who already is using the system, but it declined to name the
customer.
Encryption software is one way to thwart unauthorized access to data. But
except in powerful, large computers, running encryption software can be
time-consuming and inconvenient.
IBM said its engineers will work with processor makers to design the
security features into their products. Mr. Ravy declined to speak about
pricing.
IBM has implemented Secure Blue in its own Power processors, which it sells
to other companies, and in two other processors. It said it plans to
approach other processor makers and companies in the defense,
consumer-electronics, financial-services and digital-media markets. "The
need to protect content is growing exponentially," Mr. Ravy said.
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R. A. Hettinga
The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation http://www.ibuc.com/
44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA
"... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity,
[predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to
experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'
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R. A. Hettinga
The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation http://www.ibuc.com/
44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA
"... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity,
[predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to
experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'