In the past year, we have seen frequent media reports of high-profile laptop thefts and losses, from the NHS to high street banks. Now, Marks & Spencer has joined the list.
Any organisation that handles sensitive information about employees or
the public has a responsibility to protect them, and traditional
passwords are too easily compromised. If we can't stop theft of laptops,
we can at least make them less valuable in terms of the data stored on
them by encrypting it. Our survey of 1,200 security professionals showed
that only 44 per cent of laptop data is protected, highlighting how
widespread the problem is.
Employing layers of security is critical for ensuring sensitive
information is kept from unauthorised eyes. A combination of data
encryption and using a smart card or a separate USB token to unlock the
laptop will reduce the risk of hackers accessing sensitive
information.
People can accept that random thefts and losses of laptops are
inevitable. However, we cannot accept that the data on stolen items
continues to be virtually unprotected and can easily fall into the wrong
hands.
Gary Clark, vice-president, EMEA SafeNet.