Constant didn't quantify how secure vPro is, but he did tell me that vPro offers "Intel's latest and greatest software and security features for PCs."
How Secure Is vPro?īecause vPro provides direct access to fleets of equipment, it's important that these channels be protected.
Without this option, Constant explained that "IT would have to go to that device, take out the SSD, slave it to another PC, go in and erase the drive, repurpose and reload the drive, and go put it back in the PC."Ĭonstant said manual secure hard drive wipes take at least 20 minutes, and IT departments often forego this step "and tend to just shred the drives." Easy-to-perform remote secure-erases become even more valuable if a PC is stolen or if an employee has been let go, as the company needs to make sure sensitive data isn't leaked. If a vPro system also includes an Intel Pro SSD hard drive, IT departments gain the power to perform a remote secure-erase. That could mean updating the operating system, BIOS or third-party software vPro allows a company to make sure everyone is using the same versions of applications and that all devices are up to date. IT departments can also log in to vPro systems to manage software installations on clients in a company's fleet.
You can either send someone out there or take over the device using vPro, update and reset it back to working order without leaving your own office." vPro comes in handy when a user in the field needs immediate care.įor example, Constant hypothesized, "let's say a user gets a virus and they're at an airport. The primary use of vPro today is "to remotely manage, diagnose and update a PC without having to be there," said Constant. The other 10 percent receive support, too, as Intel creates software tools for other consoles as well. The most commonly used console client is Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), which Constant estimated is used by 90 percent of IT departments. IT departments manage vPro devices using pre-existing console software, so the technology doesn't involve a learning curve. At the bare minimum, vPro requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) cryptoprocessor chip and wired or wireless internet connectivity.