Tag: channels
Why the biggest laptop vendors are ignoring Microsoft’s Pluton security tech
Two of the biggest laptop vendors have chosen to pass over Microsoft's blossoming vision for PC chip security, Pluton. But the reason why may be less complex than it appears: Both companies are apparently sticking with an established relationship with Intel's vPro technology, instead.
The Register reported this week that both Dell and Lenovo planned to skip Microsoft's Pluton technology in its commercial PCs, which Microsoft introduced two years ago as a better way of integrating security directly into the CPU. The technology originally received somewhat tepid endorsements from both Qualcomm and Intel, and a more enthusiastic response from AMD — which had helped develop the technology to secure the Xbox game console.
Now, Dell told El Reg that “Pluton does not align with Dell's approach to hardware security and our most secure commercial PC requirements” and that it won't include the Pluton technology in most of its commercial PCs. Lenovo, too, said that it would ship Intel ThinkPads without Pluton, and that laptops with AMD Ryzen (and Pluton-enabled) chips inside them would be turned off by default.
That sounds alarming, but the reality of the situation might be simpler: The majority of the world's commercial laptops ship with Intel's Core chips inside, specifically with its vPro security enabled.
According to Bob O'Donnell, the president of Technalysis Research, Intel's vPro technology can't currently work with the Microsoft Pluton security core. “You can't do both,” O'Donnell said. “My guess is at the end of the day, Lenovo and Dell have invested a fair amount of time, money and effort into supporting vPro. So, as a result [Pluton] becomes a bit of an unnecessary thing.”
What's Microsoft Pluton, again?
Pluton is, and was, Microsoft's ongoing effort to secure the PC. Microsoft announced Pluton in 2020, the year before the company began laying down the law on Windows 11's security requirement: Windows 11 PCs need a Trusted Platform Module, or TPM, whether discrete or integrated. Most processors for commercial and consumer PCs alike integrate a TPM function inside the processor, even if it doesn't always go so well. Pluton is Microsoft's approach — a secondary logic block that integrates security functions into the processor as well. Its selling point is that Microsoft used it to help secure the Xbox, which hasn't suffered from any notable high-profile hacks. More importantly, it's secure enough to allow firmware updates via Microsoft's standard Windows Update channels.
Lenovo's AMD-powered ThinkPad Z-series laptops include chips with Microsoft Pluton inside, but it's disabled by default.
But to be fair, worrying about Pluton may be jumping the gun. AMD originally said that even if it implemented Pluton, which it has, it wouldn't replace AMD's own TPM implementation — just sit alongside it. And Intel said that it would partner with Microsoft to add the Pluton technology to future platforms, “in the next few years.” More significantly, Intel never acknowledged Pluton as a feature in its recent Alder Lake platforms, including those for its most recent vPro systems. Even with its sliver of PC sales, Qualcomm may turn out to be Pluton's biggest backer, as the company said in December that it plans to enable Pluton inside of its upcoming Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor.
So with minimal chip support, what can PC makers do?
Lenovo's decision is the most interesting, since the Pluton technology was included within the Ryzen-powered Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Z16, which were announced at CES 2022. Leaving the technology turned off for the entirety of 2022, as The Register reported, would put the burden of securing those PCs on AMD. Lenovo representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
So what does this mean for Pluton? For Microsoft, its customers' lukewarm response to Pluton is a bit of an embarrassment. But it's not like commercial PCs powered by either AMD or Intel will be unsecured going forward, which is really what matters.
How to Write a Great Value Proposition [5 Top Examples + Template]
Your company’s value proposition is the core of your competitive advantage. It clearly articulates why someone would want to buy from your company instead of a competitor.
Bank AlJazira and JCB agree to enable JCB acceptance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 |
JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan, and JCB Cards are used by more than 140 million cardholders and accepted at about 37 million locations globally. This partnership will enable Bank AlJazira to accept JCB Cards across their network of POS terminals and ATM terminals deployed throughout the Kingdom and also provide greater convenience for JCB's growing cardholders in Islamic markets.
Both sides are delighted to reach this agreement, which would add new channels of acceptance for the JCB branded cards in the Saudi market, and will enable visitors to the Kingdom from various countries to use their JCB Cards through the POS and ATM network of Bank AlJazira in stores and outlets across the Kingdom.
Yuichiro Kadowaki, Director and CEO of JCB Middle East LLC, said, "Bank AlJazira is one of the leading banks in the Kingdom. I am delighted to expand our acceptance network of JCB Cards through the partnership with Bank AlJazira. This will help expand our business further in the Kingdom. We look forward to this exciting opportunity as it is in line with the Kingdom's enhanced Vision 2030 strategy and the ever-increasing close ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan."
Naif AlAbdulkareem CEO of Bank AlJazira, said, "JCB is a global payments brand that will add great value in increasing the payments acceptance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In line with Saudi Central Bank strategy and Saudi Payments initiative to achieve 2030 vision, we are pleased to announce our partnership agreement with JCB which will enhance and enrich our business and satisfy the cardholders and merchants by providing our best payments solutions."
Abdulaziz Alafaleg, Managing Director of Saudi Payments, said, "Enabling JCB in the Saudi market is a remarkable milestone driven by the strategy of the Saudi Central Bank and helping the achievement of Vision 2030 goals. As part of our engagement to introduce advanced payment services and features across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and continuous efforts to enhance the ecosystem's competitiveness, the enablement of globally renowned international payment schemes such as JCB to operate in KSA emerges as an important driver to help us reach our endeavors to offer multiple options for the kingdom's residents and visitors."
About JCB
JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 37 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/
About Bank AlJazira
Bank AlJazira is recognized as one of the leading Shariah compliant fast growing financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, customer-driven and service-oriented Saudi Financial Group which provides individuals, businesses and institutions with innovative Shariah compliant financial services through professional and dedicated staff.
Our products and services are designed to meet the end-to-end needs of all customers from account opening to time deposits, debit and credit cards to personal finance in addition to a wide range of mortgage finance products. Furthermore, our award winning Electronic Banking services are among the best since its launching in the Saudi Market including AlJazira Online, AlJazira SMART, AlJazira Phone, and Shariah compliant credit card offerings.
About Saudi Payments
Saudi Payments is the national foundation of digital payments and the developer and operator of the national payment infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the aim to accelerate the transition to a society less dependent on cash, in line with the Saudi Central Bank's strategy and the aspirations of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) towards achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The entity operates under the supervision of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), offering secure and interoperable digital payment solutions.
Contacts
JCB Co., Ltd.
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jp
Bank AlJazira
Ahmed K. AlHassan
Acquiring and Digital Payments
Mobile: +966505618141
Email: aalhassan@baj.com.sa
Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.comBank AlJazira has partnered with JCB International Co., Ltd. to launch JCB acceptance through its POS and ATM network devices deployed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Latest Intelligence
