HP ProtectTools Security Manager Guide

HP ProtectTools Security Manager www.hp.com Glossary–1
Glossary
The following terms are used in this document and throughout
the ProtectTools Security Manager.
Authentication—Process of verifying whether a user is
authorized to perform a task, for example, accessing a computer,
modifying settings for a particular program, or viewing
secured data.
Biometric—Category of authentication credentials that use a
physical feature, such as a fingerprint, to identify a user.
BIOS profile—Group of BIOS configuration settings that can
be saved and applied to other accounts.
BIOS security mode—Setting in Smart Card Security for
ProtectTools that, when enabled, requires the use of a smart card
and a valid PIN for user authentication.
Certification authority—Service that issues the certificates
required to run a public key infrastructure.
Credentials—Method by which a user proves eligibility for a
particular task in the authentication process.
Cryptographic service provider (CSP)—Provider or library
of cryptographic algorithms that can be used in a well-defined
interface to perform particular cryptographic functions.
Cryptography—Practice of encrypting and decrypting data so
that it can be decoded only by specific individuals.
Decryption—Procedure used in cryptography to convert
encrypted data into plain text.