Buying and using a laptop - articles, tips and advice
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Laptop Security
Laptop Security Security – it’s about you Headlines NEWS “4,973 laptops that were left in
London taxi cabs over a six month period.” For many of us our laptop represents our mobile office on which we store a great deal of valuable
information. But what would be the impact to you if you were suddenly to lose this essential business tool? “At Heathrow airport an average of
around 120 laptops are handed in every month, of which at least 15 or so will end up at auction.” Heathrow airport, the busiest international
airport in the world, serves millions of business travellers each month, many of whom travel with laptops, but it transpires that hundreds of those laptops end up being
handed in. As a result of airport chaos in the wake of recent heightened security that mountain of unclaimed laptops is now reaching record levels. Recently
published research suggested a staggering 40% of all electronic devices lost at UK airports go unclaimed with mobile phones more likely to be left unclaimed
than laptops and PDAs. Many laptops lost not stolen Grim reading Remember the loss of your laptop involves not just the replacement of the machine but what about all of the information it contains?
The wedding and holiday photos! Not to mention the sensitive contract information recently received from a valued business customer, which you’d
forgotten to encrypt!! What message does this send your business customers? That you do not take security seriously and even worse that you do
not effectively protect their information! Here is some useful advice and guidance that could help you protect your laptop and the information that it
contain: Do:
A worker at Heathrow commented that many people just assume their laptop
won't have been handed in. Brand new laptops are handed all the time and if they are not claimed after three months they are auctioned off.
The above headlines are based upon real facts and make pretty grim reading. The fact that we rely so heavily now
on our mobile computers means that we should take more care to ensure that we protect them and the valuable information they contain. It is staggering to read that
people do not take better care of what is essentially a vital business tool. Little consideration seems to be given to the consequences of losing such a valuable piece
of equipment.
Don’t:
- store sensitive information on your laptop unless there is a clear business need and the device is configured for this purpose;
- leave the laptop logged on and unattended, even for a short while;
- leave the laptop in suspend or hibernate states. Always power the laptop down completely.
As highlighted, information is an
extremely important asset and it is vital that you ensure its confidentiality, integrity and availability. Any compromise could have serious consequences for you from
both financial perspective and on the reputation of your company.
Martin Smith of the The Security Company (International) Limited takes security awareness very seriously. We recognise the key role that
providing good advice and guidance can play in ensuring that people are regularly reminded of the importance of good security both on a personal and at a business
level.
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