What is LOCKBOX?
Imagine if you could remove your data when you’re not using your computer? What if you could remove the operating system as well? Now imagine if you had multiple users operating the same computer and wanted to keep everyone’s data separate and private? LOCKBOX is a series of computers (known as UNIFIED EMBEDDED COMPUTERs or UECs) that accomplishes this and so much more.
LOCKBOX UECs are based on the idea of requiring “keys” to operate the computer, much like a literal lockbox needs a key to open. Each LOCKBOX UEC utilizes two “keys”; one containing a peri-operating system (PERI-OS), similar to TESSERA, and the second is a removable data drive, which contains the user’s data, i.e. documents, photos, videos, etc.
A PERI-OS is an operating system that “encompasses” the user operating system (i.e. Windows). It shares similarities with a Host operating system that runs a virtual machine, but there are key differences. A PERI-OS is a bare minimum operating system that runs entirely in the background and is focused on a few or even one purpose(s). The PERI-OS with LOCKBOX is focused solely on performance and recovery.
These “keys” can be assigned to specific users as well. This means multiple users can use the LOCKBOX UEC, each with their own set of “keys”, but their data is kept separate from all other users. This allows sensitive data to be inaccessible to any other user. When these “keys” are removed from the computer, the computer itself becomes nothing more than an unusable piece of technology, as there is nothing on the computer to boot to or operate the computer. This creates a “killswitch”, preventing any unauthorized access or the spread of a ransomware or malware throughout the network as the LOCKBOX UEC is no longer operational or connected to a network.
The PERI-OS with LOCKBOX also has a recovery process that creates hourly “snapshots” of the entire LOCKBOX computer, including the PERI-OS, the user operating system, and the removable data drive. These “snapshots” are stored on an encrypted partition on one of the “keys”, meaning these “snapshots” are removed when the keys are and kept separate from any other user.
A current computer can be transplanted to a LOCKBOX UEC or the LOCKBOX UEC can be a fresh installation of an operating system. LOCKBOX is compatible with all versions of Windows (XP and up) and all Debian-based Linux systems. For fresh installations, LOCKBOX UECs are only available for Windows 10 or 11, or any open-source Debian-based Linux system, i.e. Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.
LOCKBOX UECs are currently only available in mini-tower form factor computers. Due to the complex nature of the “keys”, laptops and All-in-Ones (AIOs) are not available. There are three standard configurations of LOCKBOX computers based upon usage.
Additional “keys” are also available for each LOCKBOX UEC.
LOCKBOX Tower configurations
(monitors not included)
