Intel has announced the availability of the business versions of its its
sixth-generation Core vPro processors, with an interesting new
multi-factor authentication mechanism built into the hardware. Better
known by its codename 'Skylake', the sixth-gen family of Core
processors has been launched in phases, starting with models for
consumer desktops and notebooks last year.
Intel's vPro processor
variants have specific features for improved security and manageability
in corporate environments. The new lineup includes a feature called
Intel Authenticate, which aims to curb the threat of data leaks which
happen because of sophisticated malware or even stolen or spoofed
credentials. Authenticate bypasses the operating system and software
layers, and allows for up to three-factor ID verification which can
involve a combination of passwords and PINs, biometric parameters,
physical tokens, and location.
The idea is to combine various
forms of authentication, making users validate something they know,
something they have, and something they are. Passwords are an example
of things users can prove they know; tokens such as a smartphone are
things users can prove they have; and biometrics such as fingerprints
and iris patterns prove who they are. Many services today employ
two-factor authentication which relies on the former two concepts.
Biometric
match patterns and signed certificates are encrypted and stored in the
CPU itself, where malware typically cannot discover it. All sixth-gen
Core vPro processors will feature Intel Authenticate, but it is
currently available only as a preview for IT administrators to evaluate.
Businesses will be able to define how much security they need and apply
it to the PCs themselves as well as corporate services such as servers
and VPN access.
The new Core vPro lineup covers six SKUs for
desktops and nine for mobile devices, including 4.5W Core m5 and m7
versions. Other features include Intel Unite, which improves the ease of
secure workplace collaboration, and Intel Small Business Advantage,
which helps businesses manage and lock down small fleets of PCs. Skylake is a new architecture which uses the the 14nm manufacturing process
Intel
has named Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic and Toshiba
as partners who are releasing devices with new sixth-gen Core vPro
processors, spanning the range from traditional desktops and notebooks
to all-in-ones, convertible tablets, and small-form-factor systems.
Large
companies typically refresh their PCs every few years, with the average
time between upgrade cycles now increased to five years. Intel says its
newest processors will work 2.5X faster with 30X better integrated
graphics, while enabling 3X longer battery life compared to
five-year-old models. Laptops can also be far thinner and lighter than
those of a similar age. Intel hopes these potential productivity
increases and the cost of maintaining older machines will prompt
companies to replace older PCs, in addition to the appeal of better
security and manageability.
Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) Processors With vPro for Commercial PCs Launched at MWC 20257 March 2025
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