REDMOND, Wash. — July 15, 2010 — When it comes to technology, whether for work or play, security is always top of mind. Keeping devices and the important information housed on them safe is critical and something that should be easily managed. With Windows Embedded Standard 7, a variety of tools are available to do just that on your embedded device.
With so many categories of Windows Embedded Standard 7 devices, it may seem like a daunting task to provide a standard level of security across them all as well as additional features to truly customize security across hardware, network and application levels. Through features inherent in Windows 7 along with Windows Embedded Enabling features, you can rest assured your device environment only welcomes in those who are invited.
We’ve heard from Ashwin Kulkarni, senior product manager on the Windows Embedded team, talk previously about optimizing performance on the sheer breadth of devices enabled by Windows Embedded, but he’s also fluent in security and how to help ensure all these devices are secure in their individual environments.
According to Ashwin, security for Windows Embedded Standard 7 comes down to two things: 1) the Windows 7-based security the platform inherits, which provide specific levels of device lockdown, and 2) adding on top of the Windows 7 features to further customize security for the embedded environment.
Windows-based security features as a natural part of the Windows Embedded Standard 7 platform present a key benefit for IT administrators. Because they are already familiar with security on the desktop, bringing in a Windows Embedded Standard 7 device ties directly back to Windows, meaning there’s no need to tweak or modify policies from desktop to the devices, as they’ll already be compliant. Translation: No significant investment is needed to bring embedded devices into an existing environment.
Applications are the talk of the town, and users are eager to add programs to their device experience. To keep a handle on this, a key Windows 7 tool helps administrators control which apps are allowed to run in a particular environment. Dubbed the AppLocker, this powerful tool holds the key and ultimately allows or denies application access.
Beyond administrator benefits of the security tools available on the Windows Embedded Standard 7 platform is the value they bring to original equipment manufacturers. Ashwin explains that having Windows security features present in the devices they’re building “makes it easier to sell into an enterprise.” Plug the device in and the network connectivity, security, and group policy support is all there, and the device is compliant, making one less thing for IT administrators to worry about.
For more information on the available security features for Windows Embedded Standard 7, you can view the Windows Embedded Standard 7 security white paper. Additional information on Windows Embedded Standard is also available on the official white papers page.
