FDE.2 drive support-competition-Waves advantage.....
Since many folks here wonder about announcements from software FDE companies to support the FDE.2 drives I want to discuss a few points about their intentions and the implications...
1. Software vs. Hardware FDE
I think everybody knows that hardware based solutions are much BETTER, FASTER, CHEAPER than pure software. Software solution consume CPU power for encryption and have to initially encrypt the hole drive before working. Sometimes software based solutions have to be deactivated if you want to install an new software.
2. NEW systems and legacy machines
Software FDE companies can support new and legacy machines with their solution, FDE.2 has to be installed on legacy machines. The good news here is, that FDE.2 doesn´t need a TPM present to work, since it can store (limited) and generate key on a hidden partition. Nevertheless you have to switch the drive on legacy systems. So I would say ALL new machines will be ordered with FDE.2 while old one used the software encryption systems.
AND HERE IS THE POINT!
Software vendors KNOW their TIME RUNS OUT, so they have to build support for the new drives to maintain their position as an encryption company. But consider, their MARGIN lies in their software, and NOT in supporting FDE.2! It´s just their ONLY chance to sell their software in the NEAR future. Assuming the hardware replacement cycle is about 4 years, we can calculate WHEN the end of software based encryption is here....
3. FDE.2 with/without TPM binding
FDE.2 can act (limited) as root of trust, since they store the keys on a hidden partition. Being mobile devices, they can´t assure, WHAT machine connects to the network. It´s a matter of time when FDE.2 HAS to be used ONLY in conjunction with TPMs. The NON TPM function is designed to support legacy systems IMO!
4. Waves role vs. other FDE.2 supporting companies
It can be discussed OFTEN enough, what Wave does and what the OTHERS can´t do. Wave has built a FULL client and server sided TPM/FDE.2/BIOMETRIC management infrastructure, while others ONLY support FDE.2 WITHIN their excisting SOFTWARE solution ON THE CLIENT SIDE!
So GUESS WHICH company will win the race, WHEN enterprises, govs demand an INTEGRATED, EASYtoUSE and COMPLETE management suite for the NEW TCG ecosystem....
Make your bets, we´re in the middle of the HW replacement cycle and I guess the NEW FDEs will be deployed on near EVERY machine containing critical data. TC is here and here to stay, nobody has what we have, nobody is bundled on so many different industry leaders like we are.
It has begun, ONLY upside from here on.....
Have a nice sunday all
BR
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