- Snapdragon Guardian extends PC management beyond Wi-Fi with integrated cell connectivity
- Access always on raises new questions about confidentiality and control of devices
- Adoption may depend on balance technical advantages with confidence and transparency
The management and securing of the increasing number of connected PCs become more difficult as cyber attacks and data violations continue to increase.
Qualcomm positions its new Snapdragon Guardian platform as a widely used VPRO system rival in Intel, offering out-of-band management and safety features for PCs.
Unlike conventional approaches, Guardian works even when the devices are powered, offline or inaccessible.
Snapdragon X2 Elite
The technology will make its debut in the next Snapdragon X2 Elite platform and combines material, firmological and cloud services.
Qualcomm says that Guardian is compatible with existing IT management systems and can go from individual users to whole fleets.
Guardian’s dependence on integrated cell connectivity is what distinguishes it from other solutions, because by integrating 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi 7 modems directly into the platform, the devices can be followed, updated and even wiped out remotely without counting entirely on Wi-Fi.
For IT teams, this means that management continues even when laptops are disabled or disconnected.
The security teams warn against unmanaged or unprotected devices, some research suggesting that most Ransomware attacks start from termination points outside of surveillance. Off-band management can fill this gap, but Guardian extends the model beyond the local network.
Qualcomm also highlights Guardian’s ability to take charge of features such as geofencing, location monitoring and remote remediation.
These are managed via a new dashboard on the web and applications that aims to simplify surveillance.
The system can be used by companies, small businesses and even individual consumers looking for better protection against theft.
However, a device that remains accessible even when it is inevitably fed raises questions of confidentiality and user control. Yes, Guardian could monitor it more effective, but there is always the question of who has access and under what circumstances.
With Guardian, Qualcomm explores new ways of mixing connectivity with security here, but for companies to adopt it on established platforms like VPro will not only affect technical performance, but also on the way in which concerns about access to data and confidence are processed.
