Phoenix, Alcatel-Lucent to Offer Enhanced Laptop Security

OmniAccess 3500 can locate a lost or stolen mobile computer.

Phoenix Technologies (NASDAQ:PTEC) has joined forces with Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU) to ensure that the Phoenix FailSafe theft deterrence service is interoperable with Alcatel-Lucent's OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian (NLG).

OmniAccess 3500 remotely secures, monitors, manages and locates a mobile computer if it is lost or stolen. The collaboration expands its second-factor authentication capabilities to include pre-boot authentication to laptops that use a Phoenix Technologies BIOS. Phoenix FailSafe’s Web interface allows users to remotely manage their laptops like a smartphone. With Alcatel-Lucent's NLG, it ensures that GPS location and data are sent to the IT department’s Web-based security center.

"Every year, hundreds of thousands of laptops -- many containing confidential or sensitive data -- are lost or stolen," said Surendra Arora, vice president of business development at Phoenix Technologies, said in a statement. "Our product collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent to build an advanced laptop security and theft-deterrence solution allows PC OEMs to offer a premium service for consumer and small business customers, solving a critical PC ownership, data protection and authentication problem."