Imagine the situation of losing one’s laptop. What is the cost? It involves not only losing a significant expense but also the data stored in it which may range from personal data like photos, important numbers, music, software etc to corporate data where the cost involved could be unimaginable. A recent survey conducted by Dell and Ponemon Institute reveals that upto 12000 laptops are stolen in the United States Airport every week. This means one laptop is getting stolen every 50 seconds approximately!!
The study further reveals that:
- Between 65% and 70% of lost laptops are never reclaimed.
- Most laptops are lost at security checkpoints.
- 53% of business travelers surveyed carry sensitive corporate information on their laptop.
- 65% of those who carry confidential information have not taken steps to protect it while traveling.
- 42% of respondents say they do not back up their data.
With these statistics being so painful, one has to be extra cautious to protect his/her laptop.
Here are a few things you could do:
- Treat your laptop as cash. Have an eye on your laptop where ever you take it.
- Use laptop security cables to attach your laptop with something immovable when you use it in a public place.
- Keep your laptop out of sight. Avoid using a laptop bag.
- Try using a laptop alarm which will ring a loud alarm when someone tries to move the mouse or disconnect from power or shut down the laptop.
- Use passwords and sophisticated encryption to protect sensitive data stored on laptop. Set a BIOS password for your laptop.
- Use tracing technology (anti-theft software like LoJack) that can track and locate your laptop through IP address once the stolen laptop is used to access internet.
- If you are frequent traveler, consider getting an insurance cover for your laptop which will at least cover the cost of the laptop incase of theft or misplacement.
- Lastly but most importantly, have the habit of regularly backing up the data stored on your laptop.
A few careless seconds could prove to be disastrous. These simple steps will help protect your laptop, your data, and even your company from potential disaster!