Panasonic & Becrypt address MOD requirements with CESG approved encryption for new 7 inch tablet, suitable for dismounted soldier operations

London, UK. 27th March, 2014 – Panasonic and Becrypt have collaborated to secure the latest Panasonic Toughpad 7 inch rugged tablet for the encryption requirements of the MOD and other security conscious markets. The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1, a fan-less, ultra lightweight and rugged 7-inch tablet, launched in January, is now available with the option of Becrypt’s Disk Protect CPA (Commercial Product Assurance), providing a CESG approved solution.

Panasonic and Becrypt came together in direct response to customer demand for a smaller, more lightweight, rugged tablet that is more usable while out on operations and has the assurance of CESG approved encryption. The Toughpad FZ-M1 with Becrypt Disk Protect CPA will be suitable for the Dismounted Soldier program, and can be used with a chest pouch for field operations, or a thigh strap for pilots, drivers and navigators.

Disk Protect CPA provides full disk encryption and features pre-boot authentication, ensuring that data remains appropriately protected. The software generates its own key material, so there is no requirement for CESG involvement, which means that the solution can be centrally managed using Becrypt Enterprise Manager. Devices can be installed, deployed, patched, receive password resets and be repudiated remotely, saving time and resource as devices do not need to be visited individually.

Kevin Tristram, General Manager at Panasonic Toughbook UK & Ireland said: “In order to meet the requirements of our defence customers we needed a military-level secure version of our latest 7 inch rugged tablet. Working with Becrypt, we have delivered a solution that is not only suitable for military and defence markets, but is also ideal for other industries that have a requirement for rugged handheld devices such as Oil & Gas, Emergency Services and Healthcare.”

Bernard Parsons, CEO of Becrypt said; “We have been working with Panasonic for several years now and welcomed this opportunity to build on our existing relationship to meet market demand. As powerful and highly usable new form factors are developed security conscious organisations are keen to take advantage of the increased flexibility and mobility.  At Becrypt we are committed to providing secure solutions for the latest devices, that ensure a good user experience, empowering people to do their job in sometimes challenging conditions, while ensuring that sensitive data remains secure.”

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is the world’s first fanless, 7”, Windows 8.1 Pro fully-rugged tablet powered by 4th Generation Intel® CoreTM i5 vProTM processor. With 7.0 inch tablets one of the fastest growing market sectors, Panasonic has combined the mobility and flexibility of this pocketable form factor with its rugged and business-focused design to create the thinnest* and lightest* rugged 7” tablet on the market.