Method for Enabling Secure Usage of Computers Using a Mechanism Lockdown

An information processing system comprising:

• a plurality of components, each component comprising a function;
• a privileged system mode;
• and
• a master access control mechanism for enabling and disabling one or more components of the system when the system is in the privileged system mode, depending on whether the system boots from internal or external media.

A computer-implemented method for selectively enabling and disabling at least one of a plurality of functions of a host operating system and for selectively enabling and disabling at least one of a plurality of host components, the method comprising steps of:

• activating a locking mechanism in the host operating system for disabling system access, wherein the locking mechanism comprises switches and component control storage;
• activating component settings for selectively enabling and disabling components of the system, wherein the component settings are controlled by manipulating the switches;
• activating system settings for selectively enabling and disabling functions of the system, wherein the system settings are controlled by manipulating the switches;
• activating system passwords, component passwords and encryption keys;
• and
• locking the system according to the selected settings.