HP will work with 3M to integrate 3M privacy screens into HP's security-focused notebook PCs. "With more and more PCs being used in public places, visual hacking -- the act of collecting confidential information by looking at someone else's screen -- is a paramount security risk in today's business environment," said Alex Cho, vice president and general manager, Commercial PCs, HP. "We're working with 3M to deliver world-class solutions that not only protect the privacy of the individual user, but also provides security for valuable company assets."

Visual hacking is the act of gathering information or credentials by visual means. In a recent Ponemon Institute survey, close to 90 percent of attempts to steal sensitive business information using only visual means were successful.

The planned commercialized product from the HP and 3M relationship is a new technology that integrates the privacy function directly into the notebook display, creating an on demand electronic privacy solution.

The companies said that is is intended to give HP's customers a secure solution to keep on-screen data protected and out of sight.