Wave Systems and Compaq Collaborate on Trusted Client Solutions

Strategic Insights -

Wave Systems Corp. and Compaq Computer Corporation have announced a partnership to develop Trusted Client solutions for the PC industry. This collaboration aims to support the security and trust requirements specified by the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA). The two companies have developed a highly secure keyboard that utilizes Wave Systems' EMBASSY technology, which has been upgraded to include TCPA functions such as authenticated boot and the collection of integrity metrics. This keyboard demonstrates the viability of a separable trust module, enabling enhanced security and trust to be delivered to existing machines as well as new systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wave Systems Corp. and Compaq Computer Corporation are partnering to develop Trusted Client solutions for the PC industry, in support of the evolving security and trust requirements specified by the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA).
  • The partnership has resulted in the development of a highly secure keyboard that utilizes Wave Systems' EMBASSY technology, which has been upgraded to include TCPA functions such as authenticated boot and the collection of integrity metrics.
  • The keyboard has been rated at the highest level of security defined by the industry, Level 5, and demonstrates the viability of a separable trust module, enabling enhanced security and trust to be delivered to existing machines as well as new systems.
  • Compaq has played a critical role in the definition of trusted client computing as a founding member of the TCPA standards group.
  • Wave Systems Corp. has pioneered the development of the infrastructure and services needed to extend security and trust to the digital economy through its EMBASSY security technology and the EMBASSY Trust Assurance Network.

Statistics:

  • The Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) has defined an open specification for improving the level of trust in computing platforms.
  • The TCPA is a group founded by Compaq, Microsoft, Intel, HP, and IBM, comprising five of the largest companies in the PC industry.

Sources:

  • Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers Intel Developer Forum Fall 2000 Booth No. 611
  • Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX)
  • Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ)
  • Trusted Computing Platform Alliance