When Irwin Jacobs, CEO and founder of Qualcomm Inc., had his laptop stolen from a journalism conference in September 2000, he shed light on a growing problem.
Other recent events have focused national attention on the topic of laptop security, consider the following:
o In July 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 184 laptop computers had been lost or stolen. At least one and possibly as many as four contained classified information.
o In April 2001, the British Ministry of Defense reported the disappearance of 205 laptops since 1997, most of which contained classified material.
o In February 2000, a laptop containing “highly classified” information disappeared from the US Department of State. Then, in May 2000, two more US State Department laptops were reported missing.
While technology has made laptops smaller, easier to store and carry, it has also made them easier to hide and steal. It’s convenience that has made the laptop so popular and the information vehicle of choice for business people around the world.
The computer itself is a valuable asset and must be protected, but it can be replaced; however, the information stored on it is in many cases not replaceable and is of greater value to competitors if it is compromised. A thief can get a few thousand dollars for a top-of-the-line laptop, but he can get much more for a company’s marketing plans.
High risk rentals
A high percentage of laptops are stolen from the office. FBI officials estimate that up to 75 percent of laptop thefts are committed by insiders, people who are expected to be on the premises. For example, employees, delivery people, and janitors have access to the grounds and buildings and have the opportunity to steal unprotected laptops.
In one case, Canadian authorities apprehended a man believed to have stolen 20 to 30 laptops from an office building in a span of a few weeks. The suspect would enter the building dressed as a maintenance worker, load the computers onto a dolly, and exit the building. He performed this routine so often that building employees believed he was actually a member of the maintenance staff.
According to a USA Today article, increased security at airports as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attack led to an increase in the number of laptops lost at airport checkpoints. . The problems stem from new procedures that require passengers to take their laptops out of their cases and put them through X-ray machines. They either forget to pick them up or take a stranger’s laptop by accident. It becomes more of a problem for travelers who are singled out for mag wand searches and may be separated from their valuables on the conveyor belt for long periods of time.
Business travelers should also pay close attention to their laptops when in the following places:
*Hotels
*Train Stations
*Terminal buses
*Car rental agencies
*Conference Centers
*Restaurants
*Restaurants
*Paid phones
Always remember that laptop theft can happen anywhere and at any time.
Laptop Theft Prevention Tips
Employees
o Disguise your laptop. By carrying your laptop in a case designed for computers, you alert thieves that you have a laptop. Carry your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, purse, or other discreet bag.
o Record the laptop’s serial number, make, and model information. Keep this information in your purse or wallet so that if your computer is stolen, the information is readily available when you file a police report.
o Never leave your laptop unattended in a public place.
o Use computer lock cables to secure the computer to a desk or table
o Never place a computer in checked baggage.
o If a laptop must be left in the car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle before reaching the final destination.
o Label your carry case in some unusual way to make it stand out from all the other bags. Unusual color, colored tape or thread, or unusually large or brightly colored tags affixed to the bag will help you locate the bag immediately and give police probable cause to stop and question the carrier.
o Also consider taping colored paper or placing a large sticker to the front of your laptop to avoid accidental mix-ups at the X-ray machine.
o Back up information regularly and store it separately in case your computer is stolen.
employers
o All laptops must be permanently marked or etched with inventory or serial numbers so they can aid in recovery if found by law enforcement. Check with the manufacturer for proper marking locations and warranty criteria prior to marking.
o Periodically conduct scheduled inventories of laptops.
o Proper documentation must be maintained for all laptops. The records could include the type of equipment identifiers, such as brand, model, and inventory or serial numbers, a date the equipment was assigned, and the employee responsible for the laptop.
o Some companies use electronic asset tracking technology. Employers can tag laptops with a small electronic transponder. If an employee tries to leave the building with the computer, the system logs the time, date and exit used. Some systems can also provide security for the identification of the employee who takes the equipment.
o Access to the area where laptops are stored when unassigned should be limited to a select few individuals.
o Limited access storage area should be located away from high traffic areas.
o Access to areas such as offices where employees use laptops should be controlled. This can also be achieved through the use of ID card systems.
o Some companies have established policies that hold employees responsible for the loss of a laptop if they don’t follow company policy to safeguard it. Communicate the policy in writing and obtain a signed acknowledgment statement.
o Employers have also been known to require employees to purchase their laptops, arguing that employees will take better care of them.
o Provide employees with loss prevention and security awareness training. Emails, potlucks, new employee orientations, security awareness literature or posters, and video presentations are great vehicles for getting the word out.
o Provide employees with secure and adequate storage areas for their laptops, such as locked security lockers, cabinets, and locking devices on desks and workstations.