plug and play security

Plug-and-Play(PnP) is an interface concept for the conflict-free connection of peripheral devices to a personal computer. However, the fast recognition of connected peripheral devices offers not only advantages, but also various risks, since unauthorized access can copy important data from the personal computers(PCs), and likewise data, viruses and Trojans can be fed into the company network via the plug-and-play interface.

In this context, the development of mobile storage devices such as the USB stick should not be ignored. This risk is further increased by wireless interfaces such as wireless USB, as the user is often unable to detect who is communicating with his computer. The operating systems offer no possibility of interface control.

Security aspects of interfaces is therefore a network and IT security issue. When securing interfaces, it is important to consistently implement the security rules. This implementation can be done by security modules that monitor the usage of PnP devices. Real-time monitoring ofinterfaces and peripherals is one point in solving the interface security problem, and automatic device detection and fast release is another. The PnP devices that have access authorization are registered centrally or directly at the workstation via remote access. The settings can be managed centrally either directly in the Windows Active Directory or in the NetWare Directory Service( NDS).