In the past, you have had to use a clip on 3M Privacy Filter, but HP has released HP Sure View, an option for the HP EliteBook 840 and the touch version 1040 that converts the screen from wide angle to 35° discrete view — Privacy Mode — at the press of a button.

Developed using 3M privacy technology users simply press the F2 key to immediately transition the PC to privacy mode, which reduces up to 95% of visible light when viewed at an angle, making it difficult for others to view information on the screen.

Rachael Williams, commercial category manager, Personal Systems, HP Australia, said, “Today’s workforce is increasingly mobile, creating new data security challenges for businesses as confidential information can be more easily hacked from a user’s screen – a process called visual hacking. The addition of HP Sure View to our PC security solutions helps address the risks associated with visual hacking and gives customers the freedom to work more confidently and productively in public spaces with the touch of a button.”

Makoto Ishii, vice-president and general manager, Display Materials and Systems Division, 3M said, “As the threat of data privacy evolves, more and more organisations are taking the issue of visual hacking seriously. Designed with more than 20 years of 3M optical films technology experience incorporated into the privacy screen, HP Sure View helps address the concern of protecting sensitive information through a world-class solution tailor-made for open work environments and the mobile worker.”

Visual hacking is a real threat to a company’s sensitive data, as demonstrated by the “Global Visual Hacking Experiment,” a recent study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by 3M. The study cited that nine out of ten attempts to acquire sensitive business information using only visual means were successful, with nearly four pieces of private information visually hacked per trial.

Visual hacking can also impact employee productivity, given almost 60% of employees take their work outside office walls. A similar study by Ponemon Institute and sponsored by 3M also found that employees using a visual privacy solution could be twice as productive when working near others.

Michael Barrett, founder, and chief executive, Stealth Security, said, “This exciting innovation allows users extremely easy access to privacy technology so that they can toggle it on and off at a moment’s notice. HP Sure View is a game changer in helping them protect the sensitive data shown on their screen.”