Techaisle Blog

In today's complex threat landscape, security is no longer an optional add-on but rather a fundamental requirement for businesses of all sizes. Lenovo's ThinkShield security platform addresses these needs with a multi-layered approach, providing robust protection from the supply chain to the cloud. This article will explore the key components of Lenovo ThinkShield, its benefits, and how it compares to the competition, HP.

Lenovo's ThinkShield security framework employs a multi-layered approach to safeguard devices throughout their lifecycle. The foundation rests on a Zero Trust Supply Chain, prioritizing the integrity of devices from their inception. This layer ensures that hardware components are genuine and free from tampering during manufacturing. Building upon this, the Below the OS layer focuses on firmware-level protection, encompassing critical components like the BIOS and enabling secure remote management capabilities. Finally, the OS-to-Cloud layer addresses specific security needs and provides comprehensive endpoint protection by integrating with various operating systems and cloud-based security services. This layered approach offers a robust defense against evolving threats by addressing security vulnerabilities at multiple levels, from the hardware to the cloud.

Zero Trust Supply Chain: Securing the Foundation

Zero Trust is a pivotal strategy in today's dynamic business landscape, particularly for mobile and remote workforces. As organizations increasingly rely on "systems of engagement" to connect with customers and suppliers and embrace cloud-centric IT delivery models, Zero Trust becomes crucial for achieving agility. However, the impact of cybersecurity extends beyond mere agility. Effective cybersecurity fosters rapid innovation and expedites market entry by enabling the secure utilization of data for critical insights without escalating business and compliance risks. Furthermore, robust cyber resilience is paramount for building resilient supply chains. This mitigates the impact of erratic pricing, delivery disruptions, and other vulnerabilities that can erode customer relationships, damage market share, and even threaten the viability of SMBs and midmarket businesses.

While Zero Trust provides a foundational framework for secure operations, its effectiveness hinges on the security of the individual devices that access and interact within this framework. Recognizing this, Lenovo prioritizes device security from its very inception. The foundation of this approach lies in its robust supply chain security, centered around the Trusted Supplier Program. This program involves a rigorous vetting and validation process for all partners and suppliers, ensuring the integrity of components even before they are integrated into Lenovo devices. A key component of this layer is "Build Assure," a unique offering that provides a comprehensive view of the components within a device at the point of manufacturing, further enhancing transparency and control over the device's security posture.

• Encrypted Snapshots: Build Assure takes an encrypted snapshot of the critical components within a device during manufacturing. The IT team can then use this snapshot to validate that the components are legitimate and have not been tampered with during the manufacturing or logistics process.
• Runtime Attestation: Lenovo has enhanced this offering to include runtime attestation. This allows IT teams to verify the integrity of device components not just at the point of delivery but also at any point after the device has been deployed. This feature is particularly valuable in today's hybrid and remote work environments, where devices can be exposed to various risks.
• Verification of Components: IT managers can confirm that all components are legitimate and have not been tampered with. This offers supply chain security and provides governance by verifying that components are correctly sourced.

In today's interconnected and threat-prone digital environment, securing print infrastructure is more crucial than ever. Businesses of all sizes require robust and comprehensive security solutions to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance. Print security has become a significant topic of discussion in the industry, given its essential role in protecting confidential information and mitigating cyber risks. Despite often being overlooked, printers and multifunction devices manage highly sensitive documents such as architectural plans, legal contracts, and financial records, making them potential vulnerabilities.

In addition, the rise of hybrid work has increased the focus on print security. As employees print and scan from various locations and devices, traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. Printers also act as network access points, which can be potential entryways for hackers to infiltrate systems. This increased risk, along with regulatory compliance requirements in industries such as finance and legal services, has made print security a key topic in IT security discussions. Businesses are now acknowledging that implementing secure print and scan solutions are essential not only for protecting physical and digital documents but also for maintaining their reputation, client trust, and business continuity in a complex threat landscape.

Xerox addresses the challenges of print security in the modern distributed workplace through a multi-faceted approach. The company takes a comprehensive approach to print security that includes device security, fleet management, and digital services. Xerox aims to be the print industry's most secure and trusted provider, which drives continuous improvement in its products, services, and infrastructure security. This Techaisle Take examines Xerox's security strategy, key offerings, and how it differs from competitors.

A Vision of Security and Trust

Xerox's vision is to be the most secure and trusted provider of workplace services. This commitment is driven by an executive mandate to continuously improve the security of its infrastructure, products, and services. To achieve this, Xerox has adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as a baseline for measuring and improving its cybersecurity program. Xerox tracks its security investments by mapping them to the NIST CSF and measures outcomes against desired targets. This framework ensures a systematic approach to security, aligning with industry best practices.

A study by global IT research firm Techaisle found that PC maintenance and support consumes 77% of SMB IT staff time. Digging deeper into time spent on PC lifecycle management, the research finds that 57% of the time is allocated to deployment and repairs, with an additional 15% allocated to software-related management issues and 9% to OS migrations. These statistics indicate that basic PC-related maintenance tasks consume more than one in every three SMB IT staff hours.

The rise of AI is revolutionizing workplaces across industries. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, businesses are increasingly adopting this technology to enhance productivity and gain a competitive advantage. A key area of this transformation is the emergence of AI PCs. According to Techaisle data, AI PCs are poised for significant growth, with 14% to 28% of all PC purchases in 2025 expected to fall into this category, depending on the business size. This rapid adoption presents both challenges and opportunities for channel partners, MSPs, and PC OEMs responsible for supporting and servicing AI PCs. While 48% of SMBs and midmarket firms anticipate reduced support needs with AI PCs, they are also concerned that new service requirements are emerging. This necessitates a shift in service offerings to effectively address the unique needs of AI-powered devices and their users.

A recent Techaisle survey of 2,000 businesses revealed some key insights into the evolving needs of SMB services in the age of AI PCs. Most respondents (64%) believe performance optimization will be a critical service requirement. This is not surprising, as AI PCs often handle complex tasks and large datasets, demanding high levels of processing power and efficient resource management. IT service providers will need to develop specialized expertise in AI performance optimization to ensure that these devices operate at peak efficiency and deliver the expected business value.

The introduction of Dell AI Studio, Lenovo AI Now, and HP AI Companion marks a significant shift in PC capabilities, creating new demands for specialized support and services within businesses. These AI-powered tools are designed to enhance productivity, streamline tasks, and provide personalized experiences, but they also introduce complexities that many organizations may not be prepared to handle. As businesses adopt these AI-enhanced PCs, IT departments will need to develop new skills and expertise to manage and troubleshoot AI-related issues. This includes understanding how to optimize AI models for specific business needs, ensuring data privacy and security when using local AI agents, and managing the integration of AI tools with existing enterprise applications. Additionally, SMBs and midmarket firms may need to create new roles or teams dedicated to AI PC management, focusing on AI model curation, performance optimization, and user training. These changes will likely lead to an increased demand for AI-specific IT support services, specialized training programs for staff, and potentially new partnerships with AI consultancy firms to help businesses fully leverage the capabilities of their AI-enhanced PC fleets.

AI is rapidly transforming the business world, and its impact extends beyond the realm of large enterprises. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and midmarket firms are increasingly looking to leverage AI to gain a competitive edge. One key area where this is becoming evident is in the adoption of AI PCs. A recent Techaisle survey sheds light on the early adopters of AI PCs within this market segment. The findings reveal a diverse range of professionals eager to harness the power of AI to enhance their productivity and efficiency.

The early adopters of AI PCs within small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and midmarket firms represent a diverse array of professionals. This group includes IT decision-makers, C-suite executives, engineers, data scientists, business analysts, executives and managers, and content creators. These individuals recognize the transformative potential of AI and are keen to harness its capabilities to increase productivity and drive innovation. As the adoption of AI PCs continues to grow, organizations must offer their employees the necessary support and guidance to utilize this technology effectively. By doing so, they can fully unlock AI's potential and secure a significant competitive edge in the forthcoming years. The early adopters of AI PCs are leading the way toward a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into the workplace. By embracing and using this technology proficiently, SMBs and midmarket firms can achieve a considerable competitive advantage and flourish in the digital era.

IT Departments: The Vanguard of AI PC Adoption

Unsurprisingly, IT departments are leading the charge in AI PC adoption, with a remarkable 77% of IT decision-makers within SMBs and midmarket firms embracing this technology. This early adoption can be attributed to several factors. IT professionals are well-versed in emerging technologies and understand the transformative potential of AI. They also play a crucial role in evaluating and implementing new technologies within their organizations, making them natural early adopters of AI PCs. Furthermore, IT departments are responsible for ensuring the smooth integration and management of AI PCs across the organization. By proactively adopting these devices, IT professionals can gain valuable experience and insights into their deployment, maintenance, and security. This knowledge will be invaluable as AI PC adoption expands within the organization.