According to EZ Trace*, over 300,000 laptops were reported stolen last year. This is the first of two articles with advice on the how and why of improving laptop security. The loss of a laptop is of course the loss of a substantial investment in hardware. Now add in the cost of the software and installing it and setting up your laptop, the loss of your work – documents you had in progress, data you had entered. Finally consider the loss of confidential data – possibly sensitive data, confidential client data, business plans, your email, etc. The total loss can be very significant. Laptop security is obviously serious business, yet often it is given less attention than machines in the office when in fact the greatest risk is to mobile laptops.

There are three main areas to be addressed in addressing laptop security. These are:
• Physical security - preventing theft
• Basic system security
• Data protection
We will cover the first of these areas in this month’s article.
 

PHYSICAL SECURITY AND PREVENTING THEFT:

• Use a docking station: To prevent laptop thefts that occur in the office, use a docking station that is permanently affixed to your desktop and has a feature that locks the laptop securely in place.

• Use a cable lock: A cable lock will effectively discourage casual thieves. Most of these devices are between $30 - $50 and can be found at office supply stores or online.

• Use a personal firewall: Personal firewalls are an effective and inexpensive layer of security that repels common attacks. Windows XP comes with a personal firewall, but does not attempt to manage or restrict outbound connections.

• Consider additional protective devices: Some popular security devices are motion detectors, alarms, and hard drive locks.

• Use tracking software to have your laptop turn itself in: Software solutions are available that enable your laptop to check into a tracking center periodically using a traceable signal.

Theft Prevention
No place is safe. Never assume your laptop will be safe just sitting around.
Thieves often shadow the airport curbside check in, airline and rental car check-in counters, airport shops and security checkpoints.
Do not leave your laptop in a car where it can be seen. If you place your laptop in the trunk, you can use a cable lock to secure it to the trunk lid so that they still can't take it easily even if they manage to open the trunk. Remember that in the summer, the inside of a parked car can reach temperatures that will melt your laptop's components and in the winter, LCD screens can freeze solid and split.
While staying in a hotel, anchor it securely to a metal post or fixed object. Consider a motion alarm for your laptop as well as one for your room.
When attending conventions and conferences, thieves are abundant because they know you'll feel more comfortable around your peers. A point to remember is that later in a conference thieves can probably walk in and out of conference rooms.
Make security a habit. Get into the habit of locking your laptop up when you're done working with it, or when storing it. When you travel try to stay in physical contact with your laptop. If you are traveling with friends or business associates arrange to watch each other’s laptops.

HELP: For help with Laptop Security or other IT issues, give us a call or email EBS and we will be glad to be of assistance: 713.522.3480

Sources:
*1. EZ Trace http://ztrace.com/zTraceGold.asp
2. Laptop Security: Be Deliberate
Windows & .NET Magazine at http://www.ricksure.com/webnerd/pdf/laptopsecurity.pdf
3.  Laptop Security Guidelines at http://labmice.techtarget.com/articles/laptopsecurity.htm

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