Intel and Ericsson associated against the theft of computers and their data

Intel proposes in its portables Centrino 2 the technology vPro that allows the machine, once activated on the network, to let the administrators take control of it in order to regulate a problem. This takeover is done on a very low level, below the operating system so that it allow control even when the OS has crashed.
Ericsson announced to be in association with Intel in order to propose 3G modules to be integrated into the laptops and compatible with the hardware specifications of vPro.
The goal is to be able to decrease the consequences of the loss of a computer. Thanks to the 3G module, it will be possible to send a SMS to the machine, which automatically will be able to encode the data of the hard drive and to even refuse to start again. All this happening on the level from the mother board, so formating the hard drive will not achieve anything.
The two companies also think of other interesting applications if the machine is also equipped with a GPS. It would be able to then communicate its position in order to facilitate a search or quite simply to refuse to function if it leaves an authorized perimeter (for example some hundred meters beyond the buildings of the company).
We need to wait until the second half-year 2009 for these solutions and it should interest the big groups and administrations which cannot permit the loss of confidential information.