Are your laptops vulnerable to theft?

Last year, over 1 million laptops were stolen in the USA, according to the FBI -and presumably a large number of these stolen computers were company laptops. However, the amount of crime or data misuse that happened as a result is not reported, leaving us to imagine the consequences for our own businesses.

Would you be willing for a company laptop to go missing? Our role providing IT support in Bristol means that we're occasionally involved with companies that suffer this fate, with mixed results.

From one point of view, it would seem that businesses have little to fear from data being lost. Even in the unlikely event that your stolen laptop found its way to a business competitor, maybe they'd discover some previously hidden information on your costs and on deals in the making, but the mere data does not form a recipe for success. In any case, it's incredibly unlikely that this would be your stolen laptop's fate: far more likely for the user data to be wiped in order for it to be sold on the black market.

But there's the loss of face. It looks careless. If your company is the one with the stolen IT equipment, it sends out a not so subtle message to your client that they had better be careful sharing any data with you.

Even in those circumstances there is a chance for you to shine. If the data on the laptop is properly encrypted, you can say so; not only with the data be safe, you've shown your company to be a purveyor of good practice. Fail to do this, though, and it looks like you can't be bothered with technology, or that it's a bit complicated for you.

And then there's the fines. Whilst you might not worry too much about your data being picked up by others, personal data belonging to others is a different matter - as highlighted by the recent five-and six-figure fines handed down by the UK's Information Commissioner for companies that lost unencrypted personal data. And who doesn't have some personal data belonging to others on their system?

Find out about keeping your data secure from a Bristol IT services company

We've been providing IT support to Bristol companies for over 10 years, so if you're concerned that your laptops could be vulnerable to theft, pick up the phone to Chorus: 01275 398900.