Experts Forget Their Advice, Leave Laptops Unprotected

All security experts out there advise people to keep their laptops and computers protected and, when attending meetings and conferences, to avoid leaving their notebooks unprotected. Unfortunately, it seems like these experts are ignoring even their own advice as most of them left their computers open at Infosec Europe 2008 without any noticeable security measure, Vnunet reports today. Although the risks of leaving the systems without protection are well-known, most of the exhibitors rely on human protection as some employees closely monitor the computers.

Citing security company Kensington, Vnunet reports that only 61 of the total 315 laptops used by the Infosec Europe 2008 exhibitors were protected, in comparison with the similar show in 2005 when 70 percent of the notebooks "were left unlocked."

"It is quite a faux pas for these experts in computer and data security to neglect the physical security of their laptops, especially at the most 'secure' show in Europe. Even if it is a blank machine used just for the show it contains company presentations and information provided by potential customers," Bruce Sykes, regional sales director at Kensington Northern Europe, said for the same source. "Locks are the first line of defense in preventing data theft and are an inexpensive deterrent that should be considered part of any data security strategy."

Leaving a computer unprotected isn't quite a good idea and it was proved in the past that such a notebook would cause pretty much trouble not only to the owner. Some time ago, the laptop used by a hospital employee who took the computer at home got stolen from his car, a theft which could put the information of thousands of people in danger. Nobody knew for sure whether the private details of patients fell into criminal hands or not but since the investigation started, no piece of information got back to the officials.