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Pointsec full-disk encryption for Linux debuts

Tom Espiner ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 26 Sep 2005 18:00 BST

A full-disk end-user software encryption product for Linux was launched on Monday by security software company Pointsec. Full-disk encryption protects all data on the hard disk including the operating system, system files, and "supposedly deleted files", the company claims..

Pointsec is pitching the product — Pointsec for Linux — at "large technology and telecommunications corporations needing to protect intellectual property stored on laptop and desktop computers".

Many of those that used the software during its "successful" beta programme have chosen to "deploy to a larger user community due to support for multiple users and groups on standard Linux kernels," the company said in a statement. Pointsec would not release any details of the customers.

"We are seeing an increasing global demand for encryption of endpoint equipment, such as notebook PCs , across many industries as companies realise the threat to their confidential information posed by lost or stolen computers," said Peter Larsson, chief executive of Pointsec Mobile Technologies, in the statement.

Pointsec for Linux is designed for Linux kernel versions 2.6.x and newer, the company said. Pointsec for Linux costs £85 per licence, for a minimum of 100 licences.