Mission Impossible Data Erasure Software Initiative From Computer Hardware Manufacturer Stone Will Protect UK Public Sector From up to GBP500k Fines

Stone Will Only Provide UK Public Sector Customers with PCs and Laptops with Automatic Data Erasure Software

STAFFORD, England, July 29, 2010 - From 1st August, Stone www.stonegroup.co.uk, the UK's largest
privately-owned computer hardware manufacturer
(www.stonegroup.co.uk/about-us.aspx), will only
provide its public sector customers with PCs and laptops that include the
famous "Mission: Impossible" option to self-destruct the data on the system
prior to disposal. Through a collaboration with the global leader in data
erasure and end-of-lifecycle solutions, Blancco (www.blancco.com),
Stone will pre-install data erasure capabilities as standard across its
hardware portfolio, in an exclusive deal. This groundbreaking move will
empower suitably-authorised individuals to perform their own CESG-approved
(www.cesg.gov.uk) data erasures at the point equipment is
decommissioned, thereby eliminating all downstream data security risks.

Through the collaboration, Stone is launching pre-installed
data erasure capabilities across its entire hardware portfolio, including its
own desktops and laptops, as well as branded products such as Samsung, which
it expects to total in excess of 100,000 units by the end of 2010. These
products will include - at no extra cost - a pre-configured executable
programme which will allow the customer to perform a data erasure process
in-house, without the presence of an engineer or the need to remove hardware
to an off-site facility.

James Bird, CEO at Stone, explains, "It sounds like that great
opening sequence in Mission: Impossible when the data self-destructs after 30
seconds! It is, of course, very carefully controlled and managed and there
isn't the excitement of flames and smoke, just a simple electronic signal!
But with the penalty for data protection breaches now reaching up to
GBP500,000 for organisations which do not properly manage the deletion of
their records, this free facility supplied by computer hardware manufacturer
Stone through its collaboration with market leader Blancco may well save
Councils, Schools and Government departments from both red faces and
penalties!"

He continues, "We all know how dramatic the effects can be
from losing sensitive data, which is just as much of a danger in hardware
recycling processes as during day-to-day business activities. Our UK public
sector (www.stonegroup.co.uk/about-us/why-stone.aspx) customers will
now have total control over the data erasure process, rather than entrusting
a third party to undertake the task. And the execution of this could not be
simpler, with customer simply contacting us to source their unique password
in order to activate the data erasure software
(www.stonegroup.co.uk/services–support/professional-services/recycling.aspx)
process. Importantly, they will of course be required to undergo
strict security screening so that no unauthorised data erasure takes place.
Further precautions include each piece of software having only one activation
code, ensuring accidental erasure can also be avoided."

Bird continues, "We have taken the decision to include this in
all of our UK public sector business, as customers may hold sensitive data on
the public and therefore be liable to such fines for improper use. The
Blancco data erasure software makes it simple and comprehensive to erase this
information as part of an effective data protection strategy, and guarantees
that information stored on hardware has been erased prior to redeployment or
end-of-lifecycle disposal."

Blancco is already the proven data erasure software solution
for millions of users around the globe. As the global leader in data erasure
and end-of-lifecycle solutions, Blancco offers the most certified data
erasure solutions within the industry, serving users across a wide range of
industries including banking, finance, government and defence, as well as IT
asset disposal professionals.

This new offering follows the recent Data Protection Act fines
overhaul, which became active in April this year. The Information
Commissioner's Office (ICO) is now able to make organisations pay up to
GBP500,000 as a penalty for serious data breaches, in a move to protect
citizens' data in an increasingly online society.

Bird concludes, "In order to comply with this legislation, an
organisation must protect itself from the multitude of data breach risks
posed by current and former employees, and third parties such as unaccredited
hardware recyclers and hackers. Failure to recognise these risks could cause
significant damage to the organisation's reputation, customer trust and
bottom line. Against this backdrop, computer hardware manufacturer Stone aims
to offer its customers an effective way to manage these risks."

Notes to editors

About Stone (www.stonegroup.co.uk)

Stone is the UK's largest privately-owned computer hardware
manufacturer and is wholly dedicated to the UK public sector, specialising in
the supply and support of ICT and audio-visual solutions to schools,
colleges, universities, local government, the emergency services, the NHS and
the MoD.

Stone's directors and employees are UK based, paying UK taxes
and the company pays UK corporation tax. That means that the company and its
employees are all reinvesting as taxpayers back into UK PLC, unlike some
competitors that are based abroad and contribute to other economies. Stone
has recently invested in 100,000 sq.ft. of new manufacturing production line
and office facilities in the West Midlands because it firmly believes in
UK-based manufacturing.

Having acquired Rock in May 2008, Stone now sells direct to
consumers, and offers high-end business and gaming notebooks to all sectors.

As well as achieving supplier status on all major educational
and public sector frameworks, Stone has well-established relationships with
leading manufacturers. Strong partnerships with Intel, Microsoft, LG, Seagate
and Samsung ensure that all of its customers can be confident in the quality
of the technology and receive the most competitive pricing structure.

    For more information please contact:

    Dionne Barlow               Tegan Boaler
    The Stone Group             The itpr Group
    Tel: +44(0)8448-221-122     Tel: +44(0)-1932-578-800

For more information please contact: Dionne Barlow, The Stone Group, Tel: +44(0)8448-221-122; Tegan Boaler, The itpr Group, Tel: +44(0)-1932-578-800