Enough is enough! Too many of these things are being taken and there are way to deter theft. Here are some suggestions.
(1) Are corporate security responsibilities for laptop computers and PDAs to include usage, and by whom, spelled out in written directives issued to all employees? If not, explain why not?
(2) What office and specific individuals within that office are responsible to corporate management for the implementation of these written directives?
(3) Does the corporation maintain an accurate and current listing of make, model and serial numbers for all corporate laptop computers and PDAs? If the answer is no, explain why not? If the answer is yes, what office does this function?
(4) Are corporate laptops and PDAs inscribed with corporate logo ID numbers? Are “corporate unique” bar coded inventory stickers assigned and affixed to each laptop and PDA?
(5) How often are thorough inventories conducted? (quarterly, semiannually or annually) If such inventories are not conducted, why? If conducted, did “eye see - hand touch” each laptop and PDA?
(6) While at the workplace, how are laptops and PDAs secured? If laptops and PDAs are not secured, why aren’t they? Three suggested products to secure laptops: Kensington® MicroSaver™ Security System. Contact any computer supply outlet. Smith & Wesson® Security Products, Notebook Lock™Contact Noble Enterprises, Limited, 5325 Newcastle Avenue, Suite 202, Encino, California 91316. Telephone 818-881-0354. FAX: 818-881- 9404. E-mail: [email protected] . Segull Security Systems’® Universal Notebook Security Cable. Contact Segull Security Systems®, Inc., 15230 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 106, Van Nuys, California 91411. Telephone 818-781-6560. FAX: 818-781-0508 Toll Free 888-781-6562. Web site: www.segullsecurity.com E-mail: [email protected] One end of the steel cable fits into the security lock slot on the laptop. The other end of the cable should be secured to the docking station, your desk or some other hard to move object.
(7) At the workplace, are computers and PDAs protected by EAS technology? Would use of EAS technology prove beneficial at this location? Explain.
(8) When in travel status, are laptops and PDAs secured in accordance with corporate policy? If not, why not? Does this policy deal with issues of temporary workplace, hotel and motel security? If not, why not? Are radio frequency anti-theft systems, such as TrackIT™ from Segull Security Systems® issued to employees? If not, explain why not? Contact Segull Security Systems®, Inc., 15230 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 106, Van Nuys, California 91411. Telephone 818-781-6560. FAX: 818-781-0508 Toll Free 888-781-6562. Web site: www.segullsecurity.com E-mail: [email protected]
(9) What is the corporation’s written procedure concerning laptop and PDA security at airport security screening points?
(10) *"Most of us use the PDA to manage our time and to store information. One inherent risk of loading confidential data in a PDA is protecting that information in case of loss or theft. Many users fail to password protect their PDA or lose the PDA when the unit is not in secure mode. We recommend that users do not store personal or critical business information on a PDA and avoid sending or receiving sensitive messages that you do not want recorded. Messages sent to and from PDA can be retrieved by the service provider in their entirety, and that confidential message text can be stored in a database forever, making that information available to others." (*Source: Martin Cramer, CPP, Security Manager, United Building Security, Dallas, Texas, “Security Tip of the Week,” © Security Products E-News ®, 01-01-03)
NB: It is strongly recommended that laptops be packed in carry-on baggage within a Faraday enclosure. Since x-ray machine electronic components and conveyor belt motors are not shielded from the conveyor belt, exposure from these sources can be detrimental to integrity of the magnetic storage media contained within the laptop. It is for this reason the laptop should be protected by a Faraday enclosure. A suggested source for these enclosures is ESD Systems®, 19 Brigham Street, Unit 9, Marlboro, MA 01752-3170, Phone 508-485-7390, and Fax 508-480-0275.
Keep your laptop with you. It may seem obvious, but too many people put down their laptop while traveling, and then walk away to make a call, use the restroom or get a snack.
Be especially wary when passing through airport security screening points. Two thieves working together can delay you at the screening point, and then steal your laptop as it moves through the x-ray conveyor belt ahead of you.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
(1) Are corporate security responsibilities for laptop computers and PDAs to include usage, and by whom, spelled out in written directives issued to all employees? If not, explain why not?
(2) What office and specific individuals within that office are responsible to corporate management for the implementation of these written directives?
(3) Does the corporation maintain an accurate and current listing of make, model and serial numbers for all corporate laptop computers and PDAs? If the answer is no, explain why not? If the answer is yes, what office does this function?
(4) Are corporate laptops and PDAs inscribed with corporate logo ID numbers? Are “corporate unique” bar coded inventory stickers assigned and affixed to each laptop and PDA?
(5) How often are thorough inventories conducted? (quarterly, semiannually or annually) If such inventories are not conducted, why? If conducted, did “eye see - hand touch” each laptop and PDA?
(6) While at the workplace, how are laptops and PDAs secured? If laptops and PDAs are not secured, why aren’t they? Three suggested products to secure laptops: Kensington® MicroSaver™ Security System. Contact any computer supply outlet. Smith & Wesson® Security Products, Notebook Lock™Contact Noble Enterprises, Limited, 5325 Newcastle Avenue, Suite 202, Encino, California 91316. Telephone 818-881-0354. FAX: 818-881- 9404. E-mail: [email protected] . Segull Security Systems’® Universal Notebook Security Cable. Contact Segull Security Systems®, Inc., 15230 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 106, Van Nuys, California 91411. Telephone 818-781-6560. FAX: 818-781-0508 Toll Free 888-781-6562. Web site: www.segullsecurity.com E-mail: [email protected] One end of the steel cable fits into the security lock slot on the laptop. The other end of the cable should be secured to the docking station, your desk or some other hard to move object.
(7) At the workplace, are computers and PDAs protected by EAS technology? Would use of EAS technology prove beneficial at this location? Explain.
(8) When in travel status, are laptops and PDAs secured in accordance with corporate policy? If not, why not? Does this policy deal with issues of temporary workplace, hotel and motel security? If not, why not? Are radio frequency anti-theft systems, such as TrackIT™ from Segull Security Systems® issued to employees? If not, explain why not? Contact Segull Security Systems®, Inc., 15230 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 106, Van Nuys, California 91411. Telephone 818-781-6560. FAX: 818-781-0508 Toll Free 888-781-6562. Web site: www.segullsecurity.com E-mail: [email protected]
(9) What is the corporation’s written procedure concerning laptop and PDA security at airport security screening points?
(10) *"Most of us use the PDA to manage our time and to store information. One inherent risk of loading confidential data in a PDA is protecting that information in case of loss or theft. Many users fail to password protect their PDA or lose the PDA when the unit is not in secure mode. We recommend that users do not store personal or critical business information on a PDA and avoid sending or receiving sensitive messages that you do not want recorded. Messages sent to and from PDA can be retrieved by the service provider in their entirety, and that confidential message text can be stored in a database forever, making that information available to others." (*Source: Martin Cramer, CPP, Security Manager, United Building Security, Dallas, Texas, “Security Tip of the Week,” © Security Products E-News ®, 01-01-03)
NB: It is strongly recommended that laptops be packed in carry-on baggage within a Faraday enclosure. Since x-ray machine electronic components and conveyor belt motors are not shielded from the conveyor belt, exposure from these sources can be detrimental to integrity of the magnetic storage media contained within the laptop. It is for this reason the laptop should be protected by a Faraday enclosure. A suggested source for these enclosures is ESD Systems®, 19 Brigham Street, Unit 9, Marlboro, MA 01752-3170, Phone 508-485-7390, and Fax 508-480-0275.
Keep your laptop with you. It may seem obvious, but too many people put down their laptop while traveling, and then walk away to make a call, use the restroom or get a snack.
Be especially wary when passing through airport security screening points. Two thieves working together can delay you at the screening point, and then steal your laptop as it moves through the x-ray conveyor belt ahead of you.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
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