PGP offers while-disk encryption software as a service

PGP has hopped on board the `rentware' bandwagon with the announcement that its whole-disk encryption technology will soon be offered by selected ISPs on a software-as-a-service (SAAS) basis.

Offered via PGP's MSPN - managed service provider network  - the facility, which is normally software-driven, has been feted by a number of security publications.

Because the software is mainly aimed at larger companies, PGP hopes that, by offering the facility in a `SAAS wrapper' via ISPs, it can meet

the security needs of smaller businesses.

According to Phil Dunkelburger, the firm's president, market data has shown that small businesses, branch offices and departmental groups are becoming more comfortable consuming security technology as a service offering, since it simplifies the set-up and ongoing maintenance.

The $64,000 question, of course, is how much the ISPs will charge for the facility...