A Foundation for Security and Performance, Examining The 4 Pillars Of The Intel vPro Platform powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™

In the past, whenever I was in search for a purchase of a new PC for business use, I always looked for the “Intel inside” label that was an immediate verification for me that I will soon own a PC with proven and reliable computing capabilities. I still follow the look of the “Intel inside” mantra but I have added four compelling additional reasons, or pillars, to my decision making. They are: 1) Multilayer Security, 2) Professional Grade Performance, 3) Complete Manageability, and 4) Reliable Stability.

 Pillar #1 Security

For me, the Intel vPro® platform ‘s powered by the new 12th Gen Intel® Core™ security related components are a top priority for consideration. The fact is that cyber-attacks in the past few years have greatly elevated in both number and sophistication. Unfortunately, many of those attacks have been successful in achieving breaches, exfiltrating sensitive data, and imposing ransomware extortion on companies.

Cybersecurity Ventures estimated that 2021 global losses from cybercrime damages were about $6 trillion. That equates to damage amounts of $16.4 billion a day, $684.9 million an hour, $11 million per minute, and $190,000 per second (Using SOCs and Cybersecurity Hubs to Prioritize Security Operations in a Critical Era - HS Today )We are confronting a global cyber-epidemic and we need all the tools we can to defend against incursions.

Security is certainly a forte of Intel vPro platform powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™. A valuable set of built-in cybersecurity tools are provided with the platform. They include hardware-based protections that help provide below the operating system (OS) security, app & data protections, and advanced threat detection. Intel also offers the industry’s first silicon-enabled AI threat detection to help stop ransomware and crypto-mining attacks. In addition, the platform has complete remote management to allow IT administrators to keep devices patched and updated with the latest security measures, a capability particularly important in evolving remote and hybrid workplaces.

And Intel's validation goes beyond the CPU. The silicon on the motherboard, the NIC, the graphics, and other hardware components are thoroughly evaluated to provide an overall more secure PC. Finally, the platform is designed to orchestrate with software cybersecurity tools so all aspects of computing; the hardware, firmware, and software are well fortified to holistically mitigate cyber-threats.

Also, Intel just added hardware-based ransomware detection to 13th gen CPUs. Their newly added technology involves anomalous-behavior detection that targets living-off-the-land and supply chain attacks by using artificial intelligence to profile good app behavior, and it alerts endpoint security software when bad app anomalies are identified. This is a cybersecurity paradigm changer as the ransomware threat in 2022 has been overwhelming SMB companies and putting many out of business.

 Pillar #2 Performance

It is great to have security, but business’s operations also need to thrive and fulfill their missions with assurance and efficacy. A remarkable feature of the Intel vPro® platform is that all the built-in security functions do not impede performance or slow down the system. In fact, you can say that work-flow performance is an aspect of security and the ability to rapidly perform task and operate programs is an imperative in today’s fast moving business world. 

The Intel vPro® platform powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™ simplifies connectivity for the sharing of videos and other data and optimizes power to allow for multi-tasking on business-critical workloads, it also maximizes employee productivity so they can analyze data quickly. The platform connects to displays or devices through a single port supporting 4K video on multiple displays or moving massive files at amazing speed. The integrated, built-for-business PC Intel vPro® platform delivers the latest technologies in one thoroughly ergonomically tested and technically validated solution.

The performance improvements in the platform are amazing. The 12th Gen Intel mobile processors deliver up to 27% faster mainstream application performance compared with the previous generation and offer up to 41% faster mainstream application performance compared with the competition.  Also, the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900 desktop processor provides up to 23% faster application performance than the competition when using Microsoft Excel during a Zoom video conference call, and up to 46% faster with Power BI while on a Zoom call. source: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/vpro-platform-12th-gen-intel-core.html#gs.tufnx9

Those are differentials that are meaningful for any business!

Personally, I like that the platform offers an exceptional Wi-Fi technology for videoconferencing as I often do podcasts and webinars. I also like the fact that users can stay productive while they collaborate, no matter where work takes them with Intel Connectivity Performance Suite.

 Pillar #3 Manageability

Simply put, if your PC is down, you often cannot perform your work duties. That reality has been exacerbated during the remote work environment shaped by the Covid 19 pandemic. Most workers do not have the ability to fix it themselves and rely heavily on the IT shop for remedies. This can be especially challenging if you are operating your PC from a remote office location or are on travel. The Intel vPro platform powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™ has thankfully been enabled to keep business mission-critical resources running. Even if the OS will not boot, your IT shop can remotely (and easily) access the PC to remediate issues and repair corrupted drivers and/or applications, or even the OS itself. The platform can reside in the cloud (public or private) and is designed so IT can integrate access into custom or third-party consoles, inside or outside the firewall.

Also, in terms of manageability, more productivity and less maintenance and down time translates to less cost. That is an especially important to small and medium businesses who often operate on revenue margins.

 Pillar #4 Stability

In today’s evolving digital-world, stability and dependability of product means everything.  The Intel vPro® platform recognized that business cannot plan if hardware computing platforms are continually changing and require extensive training and are interrupted for upgrades or equipment replacement. The Intel vPro® powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™ features an extensive validation program that aims for no hardware changes throughout the buying cycle, and for at least 15 months or until the next generational release. The program serves to stabilize the tasks associated with PC setup and configuration resulting in a better outcome for any business.

These are the 4 pillars that stand out most to me in my evaluation of the Intel vPro® Platform powered by 12th Gen Intel® Core™. The pillar of security is most relevant for me, but each pillar stands on its own and together they keep the castle safer, more productive, manageable, and stable in 2022.

For more information see: https://intel.ly/3CW1O5r

 This article was sponsored by Intel and written by Chuck Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting International, is a globally recognized thought leader and subject matter expert Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies. Chuck is also Adjunct Faculty at Georgetown University’s Graduate Applied Intelligence Program and the Graduate Cybersecurity Programs. LinkedIn named Chuck as one of “The Top 5 Tech People to Follow on LinkedIn.” He was named as one of the world’s “10 Best Cyber Security and Technology Experts” by Best Rated. He is also a Cybersecurity Expert for “The Network” at the Washington Post, Visiting Editor at Homeland Security Today, Expert for Executive Mosaic/GovCon, and a Contributor to FORBES.