Novell/Micro Focus Assigned Patent

Novell, Inc., now Micro Focus, Provo, UT, has been assigned a patent (9,154,299) developed by Beachem, Brent R., and Smith, Merrill K., Riverton, UT, for a “remote management of endpoint computing device with full disk encryption.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”Methods and apparatus involve protecting data encrypted by a first key on an endpoint computing asset including a drive with full disk encryption. The endpoint has both a main operating system for applications, and the like, and another operating system during a pre-boot phase of operation. During use, the pre-boot operating system prevents a user of the endpoint from accessing the encrypted data and the key. In one embodiment, an information exchange partition on the endpoint is accessible from a remote location and includes data encrypted using a second key accessible to both the pre-boot operating system and the main operating system. Another embodiment allows for the provision of a network connection to the endpoint during the pre-boot phase of operation in accordance with a security policy.“

The patent application was filed on December 13, 2010 (12/966,421).