challenge for IT staff. Sprint and Alcatel-Lucent offer a solution to ease IT headaches and provide control over data maintained on end-user laptops as Sprint launches one of the first comprehensive laptop security services for businesses. SprintSecure Laptop Guardian enables 24/7 security through remote monitoring, location and locking if a laptop is lost or stolen, helping to increase productivity of mobile staff and simplify security management since all capabilities are delivered over-the-air to the laptop anywhere on the nationwide Sprint Mobile Broadband network.

“Businesses that have a strong need for high levels of corporate data security protection but have struggled with finding a versatile solution should consider this service,” said Sandra Palumbo, program manager, Yankee Group. “The approach Sprint and Alcatel-Lucent have taken with this service will assist in solving a wide variety of data security and policy issues that companies face with their mobile workforces.”

The solution utilizes a unique Mobile Broadband connection card that serves as a two-factor authentication device.  The card itself is an ignition key; the user must insert the card into the laptop to gain access to his/her laptop.  The same card can be controlled by an enterprise IT administrator to remotely revoke authentication privileges always rendering control over the laptop and, more importantly, the corporate data on the laptop.  

“The primary concern we hear from businesses as they consider the adoption of mobile broadband services is regarding security of laptops and the confidential information they contain,” said Mike Coffey, vice president of converged services, Sprint.  ”Working with alliance partner, Alcatel-Lucent, to build one of the first comprehensive laptop security solutions eliminates this barrier to mobile broadband adoption.  SprintSecure Laptop Guardian delivers mobile broadband service with a connection card featuring robust security capabilities that are always active, even when the laptop is turned off.”

SprintSecure Laptop Guardian is powered by the Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian, a laptop security and management system introduced earlier this year.  SprintSecure Laptop Guardian is packaged with high-speed data access via Sprint Mobile Broadband to allow enterprises to manage laptops nearly anywhere, anytime.

“This laptop security solution is vital since more than half of the computers purchased today are laptops -- and mobile users typically operate freely with virtually no protection or oversight,” said Chuck Naylor, vice president of sales for Alcatel-Lucent.  “Combining the innovation of Alcatel-Lucent with Sprint’s mobile leadership to offer the first comprehensive laptop security solution meets a significant business need.”  

In addition to security of corporate data, SprintSecure Laptop Guardian also offers management and control features, such as:

• Enhanced IT access and visibility, available 24/7, which means:
  • Access to laptop status regardless of the laptop’s power or online state
  • Status of operating system, applications, policy enforcement and usage
  • GPS-based capability (within the mobile broadband connection card) for laptop location
  • Remote wipe or locking of data, if laptop is compromised
• Enhanced IT control, with such benefits as:
  • Enforcement of policies for compliance
  • Over-the-air software distribution