Lockheed-Martin & IronKey Release Virtual Privacy Machine on a USB Stick
Lockheed-Martin has partnered with super secure IronKey to release a new virtual privacy machine. VPM's have been around in concept for a few years now, a virtual secure operating system that runs in a window on a host PC. As with other VPMs, LM's "PC-on-Stick" on IronClad drive, has all files and settings maintained within the VPM and never stored on the host machine. The virtual privacy machine runs solely in RAM and can piggyback on the network connection of the host. Secure connections can be made that are secure even to the most invasive of infections of the host machine with the exception of key-loggers. Struggling Nortel had at one time release a VPM for its employees. Other companies are researching them as ways to secure desktop environments and maintain confidentiality of data that is entrusted to their staff.
IronKey adds yet another layer of hardware based encryption that has proven to be solid over the years since its introduction. The VPM is remotely manageable and completely revocable from a central server. The contents of the drive are hardware, and optionally software encrypted. Most VPM's are forged from hardened versions of Linux on a diet due to flash drive size constraints. USB 3.0, SLC flash, and larger flash drives have all, but removed this limit and embedded versions of more full featured, user friendly versions of Linux are popping up. While it may seem extreme, maintaining corporate intellectual property and securing assets from disgruntled employees can mean big bucks in today's bleeding edge world. Look for the rapid proliferation of ideas like this in the years to come.
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Sublime Simplicity with USB Hub Desk Organizer, Courtesy of Quirky
Everyone can appreciate the novelty of two things that really should have been combined, but never have. Quirky, crowd-sourced product design site has a new possible peripheral up submitted for your approval, The Space Bar. It's a mid sized shelf that functions as a keyboard cover and USB hub. There are 6 USB ports that face forward for easy access while you are at your desk. The Space Bar also sits up just high enough for you to slide your keyboard under as you leave for the day. Keyboards up to 18" long by 1.5" high should fit nicely underneath. The Space Bar isn't not designed to hold a monitor, but should hold smaller things just fine.
Quirky itself allows community members to submit designs to be collaborated upon by other community members. (One of the prominent USB gadget designs is Split Stick.) Once the idea gets enough momentum, the design goes up for pre-sales commitment. The new item will stay on their store as long as interest continues. The Space Bar has about 20% of the necessary buy-in so far and growing. The price is set $42 dollars, and looks well on its way to becoming a reality.
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Linux is Ready for USB 3.0, Are You?
Linuxplanet.com posted a jaded reminder recently about USB 3.0 support in Linux. The Linux kernel has had SuperSpeed USB driver since September 2009; the 2.6.31 version of the kernel has native support for the devices that are already starting to make their way onto the market. There's already a handful out there but without native support from Windows or Apple yet. Microsoft is planning to add support for USB 3.0 to Windows 7, but not until service pack 1. Since the OS is only 3 months old, there's no definite ship date set for SP1 yet.
Individual drivers are already available by the manufacturers on a one by one basis. This will slow some of the mass release of devices, but that's not likely to happen for a few more months as plants gear up with USB 3.0 device unveilings. Unfortunately, device makers tend to release drivers in the opposite fashion. PC and Mac first, then much later maybe Linux. Although Linux systems have made huge bounds in the market with adoption by distributors like Dell, the community remains a neglected segment for the most part. This note should remind people of one of the many strengths of Linux is its rapid inclusion of new technologies.
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