Simple Steps Can Increase Laptop Security

Thefts of laptops containing sensitive information increased dramatically in the past few years–81% between 2005 and 2006 alone, according to Traverse City, MI-based Ponemon Institute. Thousands more were simply lost or left behind in airports, hotels, restaurants and cabs.

Safeware Insurance, a Columbus, OH firm that markets laptop insurance, estimates more than 600,000 laptops are lost or stolen annually nationwide. More significantly, the FBI estimates 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered. The troubling reality is that company laptops typically hold trade secrets or financial and customer data. In the case of a commercial real estate professional, that could include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, telephone numbers and proprietary information about the company and its clients.