Laptop Theft More Prevalent; Simple Preventive Measures Reduce Risk
Free guide from WorldatWork/ITAC offers practical tips for teleworkers

June 6, 2006 — With 45 million Americans working from homes, hotel rooms, cars, parks and other places, data security has become a paramount concern. An increasing number of organizations are establishing mandatory policies for employees to follow in order to prevent the theft of laptops and valuable organizational data. In a report guide entitled "Exploring Telework as a Business Continuity Strategy," ITAC, WorldatWork's Telework Advisory Group, advises organizations on protecting data and equipment for teleworkers (employees who work from anywhere) as well as telecommuters (employees who work from home). The guide provides practical tips for deterring the theft of laptop computers, an issue that made headlines recently following the theft of a laptop from the home of a Veterans Administration employee.

Recent statistics state that a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. According to a 2002 U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations report, only 3 percent of stolen computers are ever recovered. Research by the computer insurance company, Safeware, found that 39 laptops were stolen for every desktop PC that was pilfered. In 2003, a joint study by the Computer Security Institute and the FBI estimated that the average cost to a company per mobile PC stolen is more than $47,000 per incident reported.

"Modern technologies enable teleworkers to safely connect to the corporate network, so there is no need to risk storing valuable data on the employee's laptop," said Robert L. Smith, Jr., ITAC Director. "With a few simple measures, telecommuters and teleworkers can have the same computer security protections as they would while working at their employer's office."

Laptop theft preventive measures include:

• Alarm it. If your laptop is vulnerable, the motion alarm goes off, and presumably thieves aren't going to want to carry around a shrieking notebook.
• Disguise it. Carry laptops in a case not specifically designed for laptop use.
• Lock it or lose it. Use a cable lock to anchor your laptop the same way you would a bicycle. The idea here is you chain it to your desk so that if burglars break into your home, they can't just walk away with your laptop.
• Hide it. Do not leave your computer in plain sight of your vehicle or in your home, locked or not. Cover the computer or place it in the trunk of your car where it is not easily seen.

The AT&T Foundation and Cisco Systems sponsored the guide on "Exploring Telework as a Business Continuity Strategy." A complimentary copy of the 120-page guide is available to journalists; contact Marcia Rhodes, e-mail: [email protected] or 480/348-7285 or click here.