Toshiba has begun accepting orders for TZCS, a thin client solution for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). TZCS provides security to enterprises using client PCs with a Toshiba-developed BIOS by monitoring communications between the clients and VDI services running on a server. Desktop virtualization delivers a desktop environment that allows users to access their own virtual desktops from the client of their choice, whether at home or work. All user data is saved to a server. However, virtual desktops using conventional clients are vulnerable to data theft if the PCs are lost or stolen, because they save server connection information on the PC’s storasg edevice -- HDD or SSD.

TZCS consists of a client PC that does not have a HDD or SSD running the Toshiba-developed BIOS, plus a server application that manages information on accessible VDI services. The BIOS is designed to restrict connections to the management server through authentication based on the manufacturer’s serial numbers. Additionally, the management server and the BIOS communicate regularly with each other in order to monitor client usage; this makes it possible to trigger a forced shutdown or remotely wipe client data and server connection information, if the client is taken outside a designated area. Because the Toshiba-developed BIOS holds the server connection information, unauthorized external access to the server is prevented, and this further reduces the risk of information leaks in the event of loss or theft of a client.

TZCS is designed for Toshiba notebook PCs for enterprise applications. It also supports major VDI services such as XenDesktop from Citrix, Horizon from VMware, and Microsoft's VDI.