PGP set to release encryption package

PGP Corp. in November plans to ship a new encryption software bundle for laptops, desktops and servers, the company said Monday.

The new Whole Disk Encryption products offer full encryption of the hard drive disk when a computer is turned off, helping protect the data if the PC is stolen or lost. In addition, a PC user can choose to encrypt a file on the fly when a system is running, PGP Corp. said Monday in a statement.

The bundle also enables people to securely store data on external devices and permanently erase data on a disk, the company said.

PGP Corp. launched as an independent company in 2002, when Network Associates (now McAfee) sold its Pretty Good Privacy encryption products to the newly formed business. During the past three years, customers have licensed more than a half-million users of PGP disk encryption, according to the company's figures.

The new bundle promises to be a solution for organizations grappling with new state laws that require consumer notification in the case of a security breach or when storage media is lost. Other software makers, including giant IBM, cater to the same market.

The Whole Disk Encryption package will come in two flavors: Whole Disk Encryption for Professionals, which includes all desktop tools, and Whole Disk Encryption for Enterprises, which adds a PGP Universal Server for administration and configuration, installation, and policy management, the company said.

English, German and Japanese versions of Whole Disk Encryption are due for release next month. Whole Disk Encryption for Professionals will cost $149 per unit, while Whole Disk Encryption for Enterprises is priced at $249 per unit, PGP said. Discounts are available to volume buyers.

[fred dunn]

Get REAL! $249 for an enterprise client...SHAH!

What is up with this? Their are equally good clients at a fraction of that price.