
6
With BIOS Configuration for HP ProtectTools, authorized users can:
•Manage power-on user and administrator passwords
•Configure pre-boot authentication features such as Smart Cards, Power-on Passwords, and
Drivelock
•Enable/Disable hardware features such as CD-ROM boot.
•Configuring boot options including disabling the ability to boot to drives other than the primary
hard drive
Table 2 - BIOS Configuration for HP ProtectTools Features and Benefits
Feature Benefit
Works with HP ProtectTools Security
Manager
User interface is fully integrated into the HP ProtectTools Security Manager.
Provides access to BIOS security and
configuration features from within the
operating system
Provides an easier to use alternative to the pre-boot BIOS configuration utility
known as F10 Setup.
Enhanced security feature set that
take advantage of other HP
ProtectTools supported security
technologies such as Smart Cards
and TPM embedded security chips
Provides better protection against unauthorized access to the PC through features
that help protect the system from the moment power is turned on.
TPM embedded security chip pre-boot authentication requires that users securely
authenticate to the chip prior to allowing the system to boot, which helps protect
against attacks that exploit the ability to boot to alternative operating system
environments.
TPM embedded security chip enhanced Drivelock protects a hard drive from
unauthorized access even if removed from a system without requiring the user to
remember any additional passwords beyond the TPM embedded security chip user
pass phrase.
Working with Smart Card Security for HP ProtectTools, pre-boot Smart Card
authentication requires users to present their Smart Card prior to allowing the
system to boot.
Enabling access to BIOS security configuration from within the HP ProtectTools Security Manager
creates an integrated security solution and enables authorized users to control every aspect of security
management from a single application with a common user interface. The following table describes
the key BIOS security features2that become accessible from the HP ProtectTools Security Manager
using the BIOS Configuration Module.
Table 3- Key BIOS security features made accessible by the BIOS Configuration Module
Feature Description Benefit
TPM embedded
security chip pre-
boot
authentication
Utilizes the TPM
embedded security chip
for user authentication.
Users need to input the
basic user key pass
phrase
Helps protects against unauthorized access to the PC by preventing
access to the computer by booting from a device other than the primary
hard drive.
Provides security benefits similar to a power-on password; however, by
allowing the user to use their TPM embedded security chip pass phrase,
users are not required to remember an additional password.
TPM embedded
security chip
enhanced
Drivelock
Requires a user to
authenticate to the TPM
embedded security chip
before a Drivelock
protected hard drive can
be accessed. A separate
Drivelock password is not
required.
Drivelock helps protect a hard drive from unauthorized access even if
physically removed from a system.
Allows very strong, random Drivelock passwords to be automatically
set in a way that is completely transparent to users (does not require the
user to remember another password)
Ties a hard drive to a specific system with a specific TPM embedded
security chip, preventing other systems from accessing the hard drive if
it is physically removed from the original system.
2Pre-boot authentication features are available on select platforms. Refer to platform specific specifications for more details.