While most people know about the dangers of suspicious Web sites and unknown email attachments, what about physical security? Leaving your computer unsecured or unattended could be the biggest mistake you ever make, according to Christina Hansen, a product specialist for CableOrganizer.com.
“In this day and age, many of us are ‘running errands’ on our computers,” she says. “And even though shopping, banking, doing taxes, and accessing medical records online have become everyday activities, we need to give them special consideration because our personal information, and very identities, are at stake.”
But it’s not just people who need to be concerned: Companies are at risk too. “The hard drives of company computers can contain a lot of personal or proprietary information, from employee Social Security numbers to classified information dealing with product or technology development,” says Hansen. She adds that the loss of such information can present a major liability risk to companies, whether it’s from an old PC in a storage closet or a laptop carried by a traveling executive.
Securing computers against theft or unauthorized access doesn’t have to be hard. “It’s really not difficult, or necessarily expensive, for companies to secure on-premises computers against theft,” says Hansen. “The key is to invest in products that have been specifically designed as theft deterrents.”
Hansen explains that desktops and laptops in high-traffic workplaces can be secured in security cabinets, such as those manufactured by Black Box Network Services. And back-office server installations can be secured with floor enclosure server racks, which can be configured to prevent access to secure hardware while permitting access to other components.
Security should also be a concern when traveling, Hansen says. “Whether you’re working outside the office or surfing the web on your laptop in a public place, it’s important to protect your computer when it’s outside its ‘natural…