|
Accounting
Education
Finance
Humor
Leadership
Legal
Management
Marketing
Motivation
Office
Planning
Regulation
Start Up
Technology
Travel
Reference Desk
|
3 Ways To Protect Your Laptop
By Mila Levkovsky
Today's businesses and their
employees make frequent use of laptop computers. The portability of these
machines allows companies to function more efficiently than would ever be
possible using only desktop computers. Unfortunately, with ease and convenience
also comes the risk of theft of intellectual information and your
property. The recurring theme of lost and stolen laptops in recent news
stresses the need for improved security measures of company laptops and
the sensitive data contained within.
|
|
Mobile Workforce If you're part of today's
mobile workforce, you know that laptops provide a powerful
processing tool that is conveniently portable.
Among the modern nomadic employee set are sales-staff, insurance
adjustors, analysts, researchers and case/social workers, many who
are individuals that travel between various locations throughout
their work day.
Without the use of laptops, many industries wouldn’t see the same
business growth. Insurance adjustors, and those alike, would have to
set additional time aside for data entry from the many forms and
papers collected out in the field. |
Don't Be An Easy Mark
Though the use of notebook
computers brings convenience and job portability to employees everywhere,
it also makes them a target for laptop theft. The laptop itself can be
easy enough to steal, and sensitive customer information stored on these
mobile hard drives can increase the attraction to scheming data thieves.
Proper safety measures are necessary in order for businesses and employees
to protect their physical and intellectual assets.
What can businesses and individuals do as precautions against laptop
theft?
Keeping sensitive data safe on a portable device begins with using caution
when caring for the laptop. Here are three common-sense ways you can keep
your laptop out of thieves' hands:
1. Don't leave laptops unattended in plain view. If you're forced to leave
your laptop in the car, take an extra moment to lock it in the trunk.
2. Keep your laptop in an inconspicuous container. Flashy laptop cases
might seem aesthetically appealing, but they end up attracting thieves'
attention.
3. At the airport, don't set your computer bag on the ground when checking
in for your flight. The chaotic environment of crowded places presents
opportunities for effortless theft.
Though these basic precautions help to deter thieves, alone they're just
not enough, especially when a thief could gain access to your whole
livelihood from an unsecured laptop. Why should thieves steal a car when
your portable computer is an easier and limitless wealth of data? Laptop
crime sprees will inevitably continue as long as people are careless with
their machines.
Aren't passwords enough to thwart a data thief?
Individuals and companies alike rely on passwords for email, document and
computer security. While the use of passwords isn't discouraged, it is
pertinent to understand that they are only a basic safety measure.
Passwords risk being guessed, may be known by too many people or can be
circumvented by a clever thief with hacking abilities.
When passwords become obsolete, Remote Laptop Security (RLS) can be used
to effectively protect sensitive data on a portable machine. Using RLS,
important files stay secure even when the laptop is not in your
possession.
What are the benefits to using an encryption or data security tool?
By protecting documents with RLS measures, the company and mobile employee
stay in control of the data clients have entrusted them with. Using RLS
tools allows individuals and organizations to maintain the trusted image
they've built over the years in the new digital age. The YMCA, for
example, can save face by protecting another 65,000 individuals from the
risk of identity theft when a company laptop turns up missing.
Mobile employees are human and can fall victim to bad routines, like
leaving laptops unattended. RLS can save the privacy concerns and
embarrassment that comes with laptop theft and consequent data breaches.
In some cases, RLS does not require an IT administrator for deployment and
can be used by companies of any size. For bigger organizations, IT staff
can help by installing and implementing the use of RLS tools.
How does Remote Laptop Security (RLS) Work?
When data is secured with RLS, in the case that a laptop is stolen the
user can log-in to their account from another computer and remotely deny
access to any protected files. This prevents access to confidential data
that may exist on the lost or stolen laptop.
The frequent occurrence of laptop theft in recent headlines highlights the
necessity for improved laptop security. The combination of human error,
carelessness and failed passwords has created a dangerous environment in
which laptop thieves can effortlessly gain access to an abundance of
names, addresses, Social Security and bank account numbers, among other
sensitive data. Adding Remote Laptop Security as a layer of protection
between your organization and data thieves can save your company public
relations headaches, compliance violations and that all important
perception of trust.
Mila Levkovsky and Marilee Veniegas are part of the marketing team at
Essential Security Software, a provider of outbound e-mail security
solutions. For more information about Remote Laptop Security, please visit
http://www.EssentialSecurity.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Laptop Article
Copyright Evergreen Publishing
Contact: admin @ topbusinessresources . com |