Fujitsu Develops HDD Security Technology Based on Opal SSC Standards

Creating More Secure Computing Environments for a Wide Range of Platforms

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 27 -- Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative computer products including hard disk drives, peripherals and biometric security solutions, today announced the development of new security technology to make its 2.5-inch encrypted hard disk drives (HDDs) support the Opal Security Subsystem Class (Opal SSC). Opal SSC is a new storage security standard announced on January 27, 2009 by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) (*1), an international organization involved in setting security standards for computing environments.

The TCG's Opal SSC specification has been adopted as an international standard with the aim of creating more secure IT environments. When used in combination with supporting application software, HDDs that support Opal SSC enable sophisticated security solutions for a wide range of computing platforms, including notebook PCs.

The TCG recently standardized the Opal SSC specification for advanced security solutions in computing environments. As an active member of the TCG, Fujitsu led the formulation of the standard, and has subsequently developed technology for Opal based 2.5-inch HDDs with encryption features.

The newly developed HDD security technology, when used in combination with application software supporting Opal SSC, will enable advanced security features such as pre-boot authentication and secure partition.

Pre-boot authentication performs user authentication when starting up the computer. Using an HDD that supports the Opal SSC standard allows for the use of advanced authentication techniques, such as biometric authentication or smart-card authentication, even before starting up Windows or other operating systems, making it possible to build an environment more secure than existing ones, which rely on password input via keyboard.

Secure partition is a technology enabling the HDD's storage to be partitioned into a number of secure storage regions. Each partition can be protected under its own encryption key, giving access to only the valid owner of the partition and users given access by the owner. This allows, for example, for content and its licensing data to be stored and protected in separate partitions, so that different partitions can be used depending on the nature of the data stored, enabling more secure data management.

Fujitsu is working with many independent software vendors (*2) to implement these functions, including McAfee, SECUDE, Wave Systems and WinMagic.

(*1.) Trusted Computing Group

An organization whose goal is to establish and popularize industry-standard specifications for hardware and software needed to build a trusted computing platform.

  (*2.) Independent Software Vendors
  McAfee: http://www.mcafee.com/
  SECUDE: http://www.secude.com/
  Wave Systems: http://www.wave.com/
  WinMagic: http://www.winmagic.com/

  About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited reported consolidated revenues of 5.3 trillion yen (US $53 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com.

About Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.

Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. conducts engineering and marketing activities in Sunnyvale, California, and sales operations throughout the United States. Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. currently offers products and services including hard disk drives, scanners and scanner maintenance, broadcast video products, palm vein recognition technology and 10Gb Ethernet switches. Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. is located at 1255 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94085. For more information about Fujitsu products and services, call us at 800-626-4686 or 408-746-7000.

For more information, please see: http://us.fujitsu.com/fcpa.

Copyright 2009 Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Fujitsu and the Fujitsu logo are registered trademarks and The Possibilities are Infinite is a trademark of Fujitsu Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Statements herein are based on normal operating conditions and are not intended to create any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. reserves the right to modify at any time without notice these statements, our services, products, and their warranty and performance specifications.

  MEDIA CONTACTS:

  Jason Baker
  Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.
  408/746-7012
  jbaker at us.fujitsu.com

  Laurie Falconer
  Schwartz Communications
  415/512-0770
  fujitsu at schwartz-pr.com