HP Unveils New Endpoint Security Service, Including For Non-HP PCs

HP Inc. on Tuesday unveiled a new security service for protecting against malicious files and links on Windows 10 PCs, including for PCs from vendors other than HP.

The HP DaaS Proactive Security service uses threat isolation technology to protect endpoints against malware, the company said. The software enables users to access web links and files, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe PDFs, in an isolated environment that can't harm an organization's systems.

[Related: HP Expands Device-As-A-Service Capabilities For Apple Macs, Android Devices]

The software works behind the scenes, meaning that users do not have to change their behavior for an organization to be protected from threats, HP said.

While HP has sought to stand out by offering PCs with a range of security capabilities, "not every PC is an HP," said Bill Avey, vice president and general manager of personal systems services at HP, during a briefing with reporters and analysts.

On the whole, "the landscape today requires extra layers of protection and greater real-time protection against zero-day and malware threats that attach to email, browsers and the files we share every day," Avey said.

The isolation security service is available for channel partners to resell, either as part of an HP Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) contract or as a one-time transactional service combined with an HP DaaS Proactive Management service plan, HP said.

All authorized HP partners--not just DaaS specialist partners--can resell the service transactionally as an HP Care Pack, the company said. HP announced the service in conjunction with the Reinvent 2019 partner conference, taking place this week in Houston.

The security service, which requires loading a light agent onto devices, is an advanced version of HP's Sure Click technology, which ensures that malware doesn't leave browser tabs to reach the PC.

In addition, the isolation security service expands the analytics and reporting of HP's TechPulse software, which to date has focused on proactive identification of device issues and now includes security-specific telemetry, Avey said. TechPulse is a key element of HP's DaaS offering.

Juan Fernandez, vice president of managed IT services at Oklahoma City-based ImageNet Consulting, cheered the move by HP to go deeper on endpoint security while also adding to the value of the TechPulse software.

"No one else is doing this," said Fernandez, whose company is a major provider of HP's Device-as-a-Service offering. "HP already had a great play with TechPulse. But for people who are trying to adopt [TechPulse] into an MSP practice, with HP overlaying it with security, it's a no-brainer … This is a huge play for us in the MSP space."

Ultimately, HP is "really leaning in to the future of protecting the end user," Fernandez said. "Lenovo is not doing it, Dell is not doing it, Apple is not doing it. Malware is the one thing every device can get. Some others are looking away from the problem. HP is invested in actively fixing the problem."