The Evolving Cybersecurity Threat
Cybersecurity attacks today are more targeted and sophisticated than ever, turning every connected device into a potential entry point for security threats. Organizations can no longer afford to think of endpoint or PC protection as a single lock on the front door.
In fact, nearly 3 out of 4 (72%) of organizations have faced heightened cyber risks over the past year. Current hardware security threats are widespread, focusing on the supply chain, firmware, and physical vulnerabilities. For example, an unauthorized flash drive has been used on a government’s devices to take down its entire network infrastructure. Another scenario included an agency planting “beacons” into servers, routers and other network gear prior to exporting them worldwide.
Not only do cybersecurity threats lead to decreased productivity, reputational damage, and erosion of trust, but disruption and security breaches can be incredibly costly. Thus, organizations require robust security solutions that provide them with peace of mind.
Meet TOUGHBOOK Guard
Panasonic Connect recognizes the needs of these organizations and is committed to ensuring its customers know that TOUGHBOOK is protected against unauthorized modification and various levels or layers of cyber threats. As a result, it has developed a hardware security solution called TOUGHBOOK Guard.
TOUGHBOOK Guard is a hardware cybersecurity solution that focuses on ensuring only approved hardware can operate in or on TOUGHBOOK, thereby preventing unauthorized devices from being installed and protecting against hardware tampering. TOUGHBOOK Guard detects unauthorized hardware changes at the firmware level, where traditional endpoint security tools can’t reach, providing unique benefits and capabilities that promote hardware-based security, daily usage protection, and supply chain integrity.
With TOUGHBOOK Guard, organizations gain peace of mind, knowing that their TOUGHBOOK is protected against unauthorized modification and potential security attacks. Let's dive into the impact TOUGHBOOK Guard is having on organizations across industries from law enforcement to federal departments and utility companies.
Meeting CJIS Security Demands
Public safety agencies face strict new CJIS rules, and audits are right around the corner. More specifically, the CJIS Security Policy (v6.0) introduces stricter supply chain and firmware security requirements, which all public safety agencies must comply with by September 30, 2027. With audits beginning as early as October 1, 2025, agencies need tools in place now to demonstrate progress and reduce compliance risk.
TOUGHBOOK Guard directly supports agencies in meeting these requirements by detecting unauthorized changes and assessing supply chain risks. It continuously monitors laptop and tablet hardware and firmware integrity, alerting IT teams to any unexpected modifications. This proactive monitoring helps detect signs of supply chain compromise or rogue access before they can impact sensitive data. TOUGHBOOK Guard also enables agencies to evaluate and mitigate risks from third-party suppliers before devices are deployed into the field – reducing the risk of security breaches.
As a result, public sector agencies with TOUGHBOOK Guard can reduce compliance risk while protecting their PCs from cybersecurity threats.
Securing the Utilities Supply Chain
For utility companies, even a single compromised device could bring down critical infrastructure. The utilities space requires extra layers of supply chain security because operations sit at the intersection of public safety, national security, and essential services.
Supply chain security is important to ensure bad actors haven’t compromised laptops and tablets before they have even received them. For example, there have been scenarios where bad actors inserted tiny microchips into computer servers used by companies, giving them access to computers and data. In this example, hardware was compromised along the supply chain – and there was a lack of protection and visibility into the integrity of that hardware.
TOUGHBOOK Guard alerts end users and IT teams to any hardware tampering or changes after the device leaves the factory, ensuring supply chain security. Moreover, it ensures the technology remains true to approved configurations from factory shipment through field deployment, protection against supply chain attacks and reducing risks of tampering during transit or handling. In high-stress environments such as severe weather or natural disasters, or even remote repairs, utility workers need to know that their hardware companions are protected from tampering, especially as they focus on critical tasks at hand.
With TOUGHBOOK Guard, utilities can rest assured that their operations are protected against security risks.
Strengthening Federal Cybersecurity Compliance
Federal agencies are under pressure to meet strict compliance frameworks. TOUGHBOOK Guard supports federal departments adhering to compliance initiatives that focus on supply chain security, firmware integrity, and zero-trust architecture.
The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) requires federal agencies to develop, document, and implement an information security program to protect the sensitive information and information systems they use or operate. As a solution, TOUGHBOOK Guard is zero-trust ready, reinforcing device trust by verifying integrity as a foundational element in zero-trust architecture strategies.
The Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations, or NST SP 800-161, emphasizes the importance of managing risks across the entire supply chain, from the acquisition of systems and components to their ongoing operation and disposal. TOUGHBOOK Guard provides tamper detection and firmware assurance across all PC components, helping agencies confirm that the configuration shipped from the factory is the same configuration received in the field.
With TOUGHBOOK Guard, federal agencies computing hardware investments are protected, offering them rugged solutions that also support federal compliance initiatives to ensure secure operations.
Defending Enterprises from Rogue Devices
In industries where downtime equals lost revenue, even a single rogue USB can grind operations to a halt. With most of the logistics automated for industries like auto repairs, manufacturing, and fleet management, organizations run the significant risk of downtime if a hacker chooses to infiltrate a system through an unapproved USB device – or through modifying hardware that has been left unattended and is locked by passwords and authentication. Moreover, a breach would impact productivity all around.
TOUGHBOOK Guard will notify users of any attempts to tamper with the hardware or install unauthorized devices, ensuring the security and authenticity of the system. It runs silently in the background with minimal performance impact while providing visibility into system changes for IT and security teams. This helps avoid a case in which one attempts to infiltrate a system.
The Case for TOUGHBOOK Guard
As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, TOUGHBOOK Guard gives organizations a critical line of defense – protecting TOUGHBOOK computers, data, and the people who rely on them.
TOUGHBOOK Guard is uniquely positioned in the market as a firmware-level cybersecurity solution. Its primary value proposition is protecting an agency’s PC investments by ensuring that no unauthorized hardware or rogue devices are introduced during the supply chain or by malicious actors, and end users and IT teams are alerted to any hardware tampering or changes after the tablet leaves the factory.
As part of Panasonic Connect’s layered approach to security, from the hardware level to system assurance mandates to supply chain security, TOUGHBOOK Guard is designed to support the public sector, federal agencies, utilities, and beyond. As cybersecurity threats continue to loom, only growing in sophistication, there is no better time than now to implement TOUGHBOOK Guard.
