HP’s Endpoint Security Controller 2024 safeguards PC Firmware
Progress in cyber defense programs brings benefits to everyone in today’s connected world. Everything from identity theft, to extortion attempts, to the loss of important data like family photos can be consequences of a cybersecurity attack. Security threats are persisting and in fact, attacks against PC firmware are on the rise. Unfortunately, protecting the PC BIOS and other critical firmware is often not seen as a priority.
HP addresses this with their Endpoint Security Controller (ESC), a dedicated chip that validates the integrity of the BIOS and other firmware to enhance the security of every HP business-class PC. The ESC validates that the firmware is not infected by malware before the CPU is allowed to boot. If any corruption has been detected, it will restore a clean copy held in the ESC’s isolated flash. HP is the only vendor offering this unique security solution as a standard part built into business-class PCs to safeguard our customers against IT security threats.
Unlike conventional PCs, HP’s ESC boasts a physically isolated dedicated security microprocessor that starts running before and independent of the CPU to validate that the BIOS and other critical firmware has not been tampered with. This ensures the integrity and authenticity of the platform’s firmware, providing a robust security architecture unmatched by other business PCs.
HP ESC drives 3 business outcomes: Risk Management by securing BIOS, Firmware, and other critical capabilities; IT Operational Efficiency by saving time and money with fewer help desk tickets; User Productivity with secure PCs that keep employees working.
Unlike other OEM PC vendors, HP designs our systems with a security-first mindset. With an architecture built around the ESC and secure private flash memory, these PCs offer a set of capabilities unmatched in the industry. The superior PC security architecture prevents corrupted firmware and BIOS from loading and restores from isolated flash memory for a clean and secure boot-up.
BIOS administration is cryptographically secured and post-quantum crypto is used to protect the firmware from threats of today and tomorrow. The ESC ensures that the OS reimaging process is secure and trustworthy and it also stores detailed logs of firmware and hardware tampering events on isolated private flash, providing essential audit trails for security investigations. All firmware settings are verified for added security before the CPU restores from a protected backup. Even if the PC is not connected to a network, administrators can remotely locate and lock the PC, mitigating risks of physical theft.
HP’s Endpoint Security Controller empowers IT administrators with unparalleled control and confidence over their PC fleet’s security. With its hardware-enforced security features, including always-on protection and NIST compliance, ESC provides a comprehensive solution to combat both the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow starting at the firmware layer. HP’s security architecture sets its business PCs apart from competitors, making them the obvious choice for organizations seeking advanced protection.
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