Laptop Security

Laptops, PDAs and other mobile devices have become the subject of theft by thieves with the aim of either accessing the information it contains or just for the monetary benefit derivable from disposing off of the equipment.

Laptop security, which is also applicable to other personal computing devices like PDA, has become necessary in view of the number of laptop incidents recorded in the last few years. Surprisingly, it is on the increase.

The growth of mobile computing and the increase in cases of laptop theft have led to the increased need for laptop security.

In the last few years, laptop/notebook has become a veritable tool for getting the jobs done by some employees who are always on the move from one office location to another or by the field sales people who are always out in the field.

Another major factor that also contributed to the growth of mobile computing is the marriage of telecommunication and computing technologies coupled with the reduction in the cost of computer hardware and software in the last decades.

Unlike desktops that are normally located within the organizations' environment or in individual residential apartment (for home computers), which have some forms of physical securities (whether adequate or not), laptop/notebook cannot be said to enjoy the same level of physical security because of the level of its mobility outside the company base.

The need for laptop security

It has been observed that vital company information is usually contained in emplyees laptops/notebooks and if stolen, this could lead to privacy breach of the customers’ personal information.

How to secure your laptop/notebook

1) Physical security

a) The single most important security that must be strictly enforced is physical security. This is the protection of the actual device from being lost, stolen or even damaged.

When carrying it in your car, don't keep it in an open place where it will attract thieves.

When travelling with it through the airport, don't be distracted at every security checkpoints.

b) In case the laptop is lost or stolen, to protect the information it contains, use a power-on password.

c) Use security locks especially when you might need to leave your workstation.

2) Data Security – To protect the information the laptop contains, encrypt all sensitive data.

This makes it difficult to understand by any unauthorised user when accessed unless and until the right key is used to decrypt the message.

3) Data Backup – Regularly backup your data and keep it in a safe place preferably, in a locked environment. In case the laptop is stolen, the organization will be able to recover and continue the business operation.

4) Network Security – Because of the nature and importance of mobile computing by the employees, protect the remote access of the network by using the Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Last note - The issue with Laptop and security will continue to be relevant as the number of workers that work from home grows especially the baby boomers.