Laptop Security: The First Line Of Defense.

Laptop Security: The First Line of Defense

Companies invest millions of dollars in computer security solutions, from sophisticated antivirus toolkits to round-the-clock threat-monitoring software. Yet, all too often, businesses focus on enterprise-wide security initiatives rather than on protecting one-time purchases such as laptop computers.

Security accessories for portable devices often fall under the radar of business executives. Building-access solutions, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, security personnel and biometrics are well-known weapons in the corporate crime-fighting arsenal. But in reality, laptops are one of the most common targets of theft and require multi-environment solutions including keyed locks, combination locks, anchor cables and chassis locks.

Just ask Bernie Yap, manager of the computing department at the Technical Career Institutes, College of Technology in New York. Were an urban college, says Yap. When I first started here 13 years ago, students were actually breaking into computers and stealing the components inside. My first task was finding a way to secure this equipment.

The Cost Equation of Working in a Virtual World

Gartner reported in 2008 that 25 percent of workers telecommuted in 2007 and is projecting that number to hit 27.5 percent in 2009. Increasing numbers of employees are telecommuting as a result of virtualization and green IT trends, and a dispersed workforce is common thanks to VPNs and online-collaboration and conferencing solutions. As a result, a growing number of companies are providing employees with laptops in lieu of traditional desktops and are often not protecting them from theft and data breaches.

Industries such as energy, logistics and transportation are also expanding the number of employees working in the field. They are exposed to laptop theft and resulting data loss due to frequent travel and the necessity of working on their laptops at offsite locations.

The cost of a lost or stolen laptop extends far beyond the $1,500 to replace the hardware. According to The Cost of a Lost Laptop study conducted by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by Intel, the average value of a lost laptop is $49,246. This value is based on seven components, including replacement cost, detection, forensics, data breach, lost intellectual property costs, lost productivity and legal expenses.

Data breaches, often the result of employees carelessly loading laptops with sensitive data, account for80 percent of the cost of lost laptops. Companies that fail to properly protect data assets with both laptop security hardware and policies expose their company to lost revenue. A publicized data breach, for instance, can expose a company to costly legal action and the loss of current and future customers.

Fortunately, there are steps companies can take to minimize the risk of a lost or stolen laptop. An affordable keyed lock can protect a company from data breaches, intellectual property loss, and lawsuits.

A Powerful Weapon

Certainly, as mobile workforces grow, incidences of stolen and lost laptops are likely to rise. Security and privacy policies can reduce the risk of data breaches, as can limiting the amount of confidential data employees can store on their laptops. But the first line of defense against data and equipment theft should always be a computer lock. Delivering varying degrees of access, ease of use and a simple employment, these high-quality, cost-effective devices serve as a powerful weapon in todays arsenal of security solutions and should not be overlooked as part of an enterprise-wide security policy.

by: Anne Costello

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