Data Theft At Airports A Growing Concern

by Steve Jordan

According to research released this past June, nearly 630,000 laptop computers are stolen or lost in U.S. airports. The study also revealed that more than two-thirds of those computers were not returned to the rightful owners. These figures include an estimated 10,278 laptops missing per week from the largest airports and approximately 1,997 notebooks per week missing from medium-sized airports. The research, aptly titled, “Airport Insecurity: Case of the Lost Laptops”, was conducted by the Ponemon Institute.

Needless to say, laptop security has increased in awareness over the last few months.

The TSA Is Not There To Protect Your Laptop

While you’re busy struggling with your belt, pocket change and quart-sized baggie stuffed with whatnot, someone walks away with your laptop. Look away for just a few seconds, and your laptop is gone. Thieves have figured out that in addition to parked cars and hotel rooms, airports are a prime target.

These staggering loss numbers for laptops and other portable devices are a major concern for business, given the often highly sensitive and sometimes irreplaceable data these machines can hold.

Most travelers could probably replace the information on their laptops, but many business travelers may not fully realize the critical value of what they carry. According to iBahn, a supplier of broadband services to hotels and conference centers, the average value of highly sensitive or proprietary data on many machines is upward of $500,000. iBahn and many leading security firms are beginning to recommend encryption to secure laptop data.

Laptop Encryption Is The Answer

While you should always keep your personal property in close range, airport computer thieves are lightning fast, with hands quicker than the eye. A swift criminal might be able to get away with your laptop, but they don’t have to get the confidential data it contains. By installing encryption software on your computer, those files will be inaccessible to unauthorized users.

Some benefits of encryption software include:

* Bank-grade encryption protection on-the-fly

* Complete security of your files and folders

* Complete mobility - works on any laptop computer and USB flash drive or memory stick

There are a variety of encryption solutions capable of building a virtual fortress on your computer. These programs work quickly and provide security for your desktop or laptop computer, flash drive and other removable storage media. Protecting your files doesn’t have to set you back, as most programs are can be found for $20 to $40, with most offering a free trial. There are even some free programs available as well, although they tend to be a little more complicated to use and are often lacking in documentation and support.

About the Author:

Steve Jordan, founder of Intricom Technologies, developed SensiGuard laptop file encryption software. To learn more, visit SensiGuard.com.

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