Theft of
laptops, desktop computers, computer parts and peripherals is a growing
problem. According to insurance company figures, there is a 1 in 14
chance of a PC owner being victimized.
If you
lose your computer, or any part of its system, you've lost more than
the cost of the laptop. You have lost your data. The hardware can be
replaced, but the loss of work in progress could be devastating.
There is
a wide variety of solutions available to secure your laptop, ranging
from simple cable locking sytems to complex type-tracing software that
can locate a stolen laptop when it is connected to the Internet. None
of these solutions is a magic bullet. Each addresses particular security
risks. Therefore it is essential to select those solutions that are
appropriate and proportionate to the value of the laptop equipment and
data you need to protect. The key point is to look at the risks and
determine what level of security makes sense to deploy.
At UMBC,
Audio Visual Services secures its laptops with cables, locks and specialized
tracking software. The cables and locks effectively secure the laptops
delivered to classrooms. The tracking software is an added
measure of
security in case the cables are defeated.
The tracking
software that AV Services has chosen to secure its laptops is
COMPUTRACE
by Absolute Software. So far, the security software has been effective.
Two laptops that were stolen from classrooms were recovered by our Police
with accurate information from Computrace.
OIT highly
recommends that you purchase and install this type of tracking software
in your laptop (PC or MAC).
For more
information call Victor Aulestia (x53209) or Steve Anderson (x53680).
You can also download a brochure from Computrace at http://www.computrace.com/public/products/computraceplus/brochure.asp
Victor
Aulestia
Director
OIT/UMBC
