Thanks to the latest innovation unveiled today by Intel, you don’t have to worry so much about the security of your business desktop PC. The new vPro processor technology (formerly codenamed Weybridge) developed by Intel combines a new Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a Intel Q35 Express chipset and offers several innovations such as System Defense Filters, Intel TXT and more.

"Today, the business desktop PC just got more secure," said Robert B. Crooke, vice president and general manager of Intel's Business Client Group. "This generation of Intel vPro processor technology arrives with new security and management capabilities along with support from every leading PC manufacturer and software solution vendor in the world."

As Intel explained vPro offers Intel TXT, (formerly codenamed LaGrande), the short for Trusted Execution Technology, which used in conjunction with Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O ensures that virtual machine monitors are less vulnerable to attacks that cannot be detected by conventional software-security solutions. This hardware-based protection isolates assigned memory and it keeps data in each virtual partition protected from unauthorized access from software in another partition.

Another level os security is represented by System Defense Filters, which can monitor more potential threats to a business' network traffic, such as viruses or hacking attempts.

Of course those features are not aiming to totally replace the software security applications. In fact, as Intel officials said, they are designed to work alongside with such products.

vPro integrates also the newest generation of Intel Active Management Technology (or Intel AMT), that allows IT professionals to scan and fix a PC even if the OS has crashed or the PC is turned off. Enhancements include convenient remote configuration tools and compliance with the latest industry standards. The company expects that PCs with this version of Intel vPro processor technology will be among the first to comply with the Distributed Management Task Force's DASH 1.0 draft interoperability specification and Web Services Management (WS-MAN).

vPro offers an embedded trust agent, the first certified by Cisco, providing the industry's only 802.1x compatible manageability solution not dependent on OS-availability. This trust agent offers Cisco's IT customers the ability to manage systems, even if powered off or the OS is down, without lowering the security on 802.1x networks and Cisco Self-Defending Network products.

Intel

Intel claims that vPro will also deliver improvements in energy-efficiency as the the CPU idle power has been reduced by more than 60%, and the chipset's idle power and maximum power for full operation has been cut by more than 50%

Currently vPro are deployed by more than 350 companies and major computer makers and channel resellers around the world are now selling desktop PCs with the new Intel processor technology.

Dell,  HP and Lenovo are already using Intel's vPro technology, which originally debuted last year, in their machines.

"Customers tell us that they want a partner that will help them simplify IT," said Vivek Mohindra, vice president, Dell Product Group. "The OptiPlex 755 has the most flexible systems management capabilities, including Intel vPro processor technology, to drive more efficiency so IT professionals can focus on innovation rather than system maintenance."