HP ProtectSmart In A Domain: Is it Worth it?

HP ProtectSmart is a pre-installed software on HP PCs that raises concerns regarding security and usability in a domain environment. This article aims to address these concerns and evaluate whether implementing HP ProtectSmart in a domain is worth it.

Concerns about HP ProtectSmart

The author highlights several key concerns they have with HP ProtectSmart:

• Credential manager storing passwords by default, leading to user confusion and potential security risks.
• The reliance on hard drive encryption and Windows login for file storage, which may compromise security and network structure.
• The limited functionality of the BIOS pre-boot security feature.
• The presence of sparekeys as potential security vulnerabilities.

Additionally, the author mentions that end users can change these settings, making it difficult to enforce policy restrictions. They also express doubts about the software’s suitability for security-conscious businesses that need to comply with PCI standards.

Insights into HP ProtectSmart

The response provided by the author suggests that HP ProtectSmart is not a reliable enterprise-level software. They describe it as klutzy and emphasize that the enterprise-level label is merely a marketing tactic. The author recommends seeking other HP management software options and documenting any concerns to protect oneself.

Furthermore, the author advises against relying solely on McAfee software to solve the issues with HP utilities, as reconfiguring the system may be necessary. They argue that Microsoft offers robust security features and suggests demonstrating the effectiveness of a customized configuration to management.

Ultimately, the author shares a cautionary tale of data loss and the importance of taking action to address security vulnerabilities.