Posted by SecExtra on March 04th, 2008

For many UK businesses, physically securing computers is preferable to encryption or password protection. This is borne out by the DTI Information Security Breaches Survey 2006 managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which reports that “while 24% of large UK businesses encrypt or password protect their computers’ hard discs, 28% of them actually physically secure their desktop PCs and laptops”. Also, it reports that “the bigger the organisation, the more likely it is to have computer equipment stolen”.

However, although it reports that 82% of very large businesses reported theft of equipment by outsiders, it also states that a third of all thefts of equipment in large businesses are carried out by their own staff. Therefore, locking down company PCs with administrator control should be the first line of defence in a company’s security policy, providing an initial deterrent to would-be thieves from inside and outside the organisation.

Just about every way that an organisation’s data is lost or ’stolen’ is through human error. There have been countless reports of laptops being left behind in taxis or at airports, and stolen out of cars or simply in the street (as a laptop case will more than likely have a laptop inside it). Indeed, the way of the business world these days is to travel, but when off the company’s premises laptops can easily be lost, stolen or even “sold on”. Therefore, the company’s data will also be lost, stolen or “sold on”, and even if it doesn’t fall into the “wrong hands” the security breach is likely to be reported in the media - a case of bad publicity if ever there was one.

High quality locks, such as those distributed by Avanquest Solutions offer users a new generation of computer and office equipment security. Such locks are installed in seconds without a key - just insert the locking head and push! The head swivels and pivots to resist prying and twisting, and the rubber spacers ensure a superior fit on a wide variety of equipment. When it comes to releasing the lock from the security slot, a bevelled keyhole design guides keys into position for easy unlocking.

A retractable lock has been specifically designed for travelling professionals, whether on business or taking business on holiday. Its compact and lightweight design can be used to secure laptops, luggage, briefcases and more, whether in the home, in the boot of a car, or in an office or hotel.

Physical computer locks provide the most cost effective security solution to fund, and the most simple to deploy. One of the eight principles of the expanded Data Protection Act 1998 is that data must remain “secure”, and physical locks will always be the first line of defence against theft. However, the afore-mentioned DTI Survey reports that (only) “nearly one in six businesses overall physically secures their PCs”. This means that in the war on data theft, just over five in six businesses have no first line of defence … and that’s no way to win a war.

Details of anti-theft locks can be found at www.avanquest.co.uk/pcguardiananti-theft.