Laptop Security Is One Part Technology, Two Parts Employee Responsibility
by Bruce Eric Anderson / Mar 30It seems every day you open your newspaper or computer screen and read of another person or organization that has been impacted by the theft of their mobile device and all the 
corresponding data that was stored on it.
Many companies have introduced offerings for their corporate customers to keep one step ahead of these thieves. For example, Dell has introduced a ProSupport service that enables the user to delete the system’s data remotely in the even the device is stolen or lost. Once the 
system is identified as being missing, the next time that system connects to the Internet, all the system’s data is wiped clean.
Another innovative service, Dell ControlVault, provides the digital nomad with a hardened processor and storage system for their data and personal information using encryption, security tokens and one-time passwords.
But as Kevin Mitnick explained to me a while back, there is also a “human element” to security issues. As he said, “There is no Windows update for stupidity.” Organizations need to be aware that you can’t always solve security problems with technology alone - you also need employees who are mindful that their actions can have a significant impact on their company.
Much of what Kevin shared is echoed in this interview I did with Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, a private company that specializes in security research, including security for digital nomads.
The most common location for lost laptops? The security check-point at the airport where you put your system through the x-ray machine. Research that Ponemon Institute did last year showed that hundreds of thousands of laptops are left behind each year (I REALLY don’t get how you’d do that) but even more startling is that 65-69 percent of those systems will go unclaimed!
Take some time and hear what Dr. Ponemon has to say in the video below. And if you’re interested in more tips in keeping secure while traveling, read these tips for mobile workers. You can also download a full copy of the laptop security study.
Have other tips for your nomadic cohorts? Add them below.
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Nomad Contributors
Hi, a very useful post and an eye-opener and reminder how important simple things are : just being careful. I am by nature quite clumsy so self-organisation is a must for me. Another useful thing is an option to lock a mobile device remotely (I can do it on my Nokia E51) in case I forgot it somewhere or it has been stolen (has not happened so far but you never know). Cheers
Use Mozy or Nomadesk for online backup and file sharing. Both are encrypted. Use free software like TrueCrypt whole disk encryption for your local drive, and open source theft security like Adeona, or pay for LoJack. Create your own VPN. Pretty simple.