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Data storage and information security specialist Imation announced its IronKey Workspace W500 USB flash drive has been certified by Microsoft for Windows To Go. The appliance, which features hardware-based AES-256 bit encryption, also boasts a rugged metal enclosure and deployment and device management options, including mass provisioning and IT management of the portable workspaces of mobile and remote users.
The IronKey line includes encrypted USB drives, PC on a Stick workspaces for Windows To Go and cloud-based or on-premise centralized device management solutions. The W500 is available in a range of capacity options for user needs, including 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions, and is available from Imation Mobile Security channel partners.
Windows To Go is an enterprise feature of Windows 8 that lets users be productive from almost any location. Enterprise IT departments provision a Windows-To-Go drive with their corporate image, then users insert the certified drive into a compatible computer and boot into a personalized Windows 8 image. The operating system, applications and data are all contained on the certified USB drive, while still using the host PC’s hardware and resources such as monitors, cameras and network connections.
“The BYOD trend clearly is expanding beyond tablets and smartphones to the PC. IT departments are looking for ways to deliver secure, IT-provisioned and IT-managed desktops in a BYOD world, and Windows To Go fits squarely in this space,” Michael Osterman, president of Osterman Research, said in a statement. “Imation’s IronKey Workspace offerings empower IT to manage the desktop environment, enable users to employ any PC of their choice and deliver rock-solid security to minimize the risk of data loss in this new BYOD world.”
Optional enhanced features include mass provisioning and deployment tools, and a feature called crossover storage, which allows the device to be used as a traditional encrypted security-enhanced flash drive as well as a PC-on-a-Stick device for Windows To Go. In addition, users will soon be able to implement centralized management for their Workspace W500 devices using IronKey Enterprise Management Server, allowing IT to implement policy control, reporting, password reset and other features for remote disabling and decommissioning a device through a central dashboard.
“Organizations requiring a highly secure, hardware-encrypted option for Windows To Go can now depend upon the IronKey Workspace solution to meet their needs,” Barbara Nelson, general manager for Imation’s IronKey solutions, said in a statement. “Marrying military-grade security and convenience in one device, IT managers can rest easy knowing that data leaving the building is as secure as when it is accessed within the four walls. For IT leaders, the IronKey Workspace W500 dramatically simplifies provisioning, management and security, and is ideal for deployment of bring-your-own-device policies.”