HP Wolf Security Stack

HP Wolf Security Stack provides full-stack endpoint protection, building layered defenses from hardware roots to cloud integration on HP devices.

HP Security Stack

HP’s strategy builds security from the hardware up, embedding protections below, inside, and above the operating system. This is often marketed as full-stack security and is a core differentiator from some competitors who focus mainly on software-level protections.

Hardware Level

Hardware Root of Trust (RoT) HP Endpoint Security Controller (ESC) silicon establishes a tamper-resistant foundation for all upper-layer security. This includes the Endpoint Security Controller for secure storage and hardware-enforced functions like tamper detection.

HP Endpoint Security Controller (ESC)

A dedicated HP-designed microcontroller embedded in HP business PCs and workstations. It operates independently of the CPU, OS, and TPM to provide continuous firmware integrity and recovery.

Platform Root of Trust for HP Protections
Enforces and monitors HP firmware security features, including:
- HP Sure Start – BIOS self-healing
- HP Sure Run – Maintains critical security processes during runtime
- HP Sure Recover – Secure OS recovery from cloud or local storage
- Tamper detection

How ESC Differs from TPM

TPM 2.0 or Microsoft Pluton
- Standards-based cryptographic trust
- Handles OS identity, encryption, compliance
HP ESC
- Continuous firmware integrity monitoring
- Hardware-triggered BIOS self-healing
- Hardware-enforced recovery and persistence

Key distinction: TPM establishes trust; ESC defends and restores trust when attacked.

HP Differentiation - Dedicated security microcontroller for vendor firmware security - Hardware-triggered recovery (not OS-dependent) - Security persists even if: - OS is compromised - Bootloader is attacked - Firmware is corrupted

Competitors (Dell, Lenovo):
- Rely more on TPM, CPU-integrated security, and software-based remediation
- Typically lack an equivalent always-on, vendor-controlled security controller for firmware recovery

Key Takeaway

HP ESC provides always-on, hardware-enforced firmware protection and recovery, complementing TPM-based cryptographic trust.

BIOS/Firmware Level

HP BIOSphere (incl. Sure Start)

HP BIOSphere is firmware that protects the BIOS and provides advanced manageability and policy enforcement below the OS.

Key built-in protections: - HP Sure Start: continuously validates BIOS integrity and self-heals by restoring a trusted BIOS if tampering/corruption is detected. This protects against persistent firmware attacks. - MBR/GPT Safeguards: Enables protection of critical firmware elements, including the Master Boot Record (MBR) and GUID Partition Table (GPT), against corruption or deletion that could render the PC unable to boot. - Runs Secure Boot once BIOS is validated by HP Sure Start - Power-On Authentication + DriveLock: Requires BIOS-level authentication to unlock the system or drives. - Port & Device Controls: Admins can enable/disable USB ports, cameras, microphones, Bluetooth, and more to prevent unauthorized access.

See HP BIOSphere / Sure Start & UEFI Secure Boot for more info and comparison to UEFI secure boot.

USPs

Security-first BIOS:
- Combines root-of-trust, self-healing, and anti-corruption features to form a resilient firmware ecosystem.
Seamless & Safe Updates:
- Streamlined updates via Windows Update and minimal disruption through Seamless Firmware Updates.
Strong Physical Security:
- Lock down hardware ports and devices at the BIOS level; no need for post-boot solutions.
Easy Fleet Management:
- Centralized BIOS configuration aligns with diverse IT environments—from small offices to enterprise SCCM-managed networks.
Built for Compliance:
Meets NIST 800-147 and ISO/IEC 19678 standards, giving confidence to security-conscious customers.

OS/Software Level

HP SureClick

(also sometimes referred to as Bromium. HP acquired the company Bromium in 2019, HP SureClick is built on Bromium's Secure Platform)

Part of HP’s endpoint security suite, designed to protect users from malware and phishing attacks that often originate from web browsing, email attachments, and downloaded files.

Isolation-Based Security: Sure Click uses hardware-enforced virtualization to open risky content (like web pages, PDFs, or Office files) inside a secure, isolated micro-VM. This means if the file or site is malicious, it cannot escape the container and infect the system.
Protection Against Common Attack Vectors:
Malicious websites
Email attachments
Drive-by downloads
Automatic Containment: Users can interact with the content normally, but any malware is trapped and destroyed when the micro-VM closes.

HP Protect & Trace with Wolf Connect

Cellular-based remote management service for fleet security. When implemented the PC includes a low-power cellular modem. This allows IT to find, lock, or wipe a device worldwide even if it’s powered off or offline. Using a special WAN (wide-area network) protocol, a stolen laptop can be located by GPS, its disk locked (remotely setting BIOS passwords), or its data securely erased.

HP Sure Sense

Applies AI-driven behavioural analysis for real-time detection of known and zero-day threats.

Utilizes a security trained and tuned AI to identify malware in real time, including offline.
Deploys a lightweight prediction model on the device, enabling fast detection with minimal CPU impact (≈1%), cartridge-like quarantine, and threat resolution within ≈20 ms.
Includes behavior-based protection (“Enhanced Threat Protection”) that monitors active processes, automatically terminating those exhibiting ransomware-like behaviour.
Combines file reputation services by optionally checking file hashes against a cloud database of known threats, adding a second layer of protection.
Provides automatic blocking and quarantine of suspicious files upon detection. Quarantined items appear in logs and can be restored by authorized users. HP Sure Sense User Guide
Runs on a dedicated security agent chip, enabling offline, on-device malware detection. No internet or frequent updates are required.