Your PC - Personal Security & Safeguards

Security Awareness

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, annual statistics - One out of every 10 notebook computers will be stolen within the first 12 months of purchase, and 90% of them will never be recovered.

In the USA alone, a computer is reported stolen every 43 seconds. One out of 14 laptops is lost or stolen, 85% to 95% of theft is internal and 57% of corporate crimes are linked to stolen laptops.

Safeware, an insurance firm that sells laptop theft insurance policies, estimates that 591,000 notebooks were stolen in year 2001, a 53 percent increase over 2000.

According to the 2002 Computer Security Institute/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey, the theft of laptops led to an average financial loss of $89,000 among responding corporations and government agencies.

Two of every five laptop thefts occur inside a company's doors, according to a recent survey conducted by Kensington Technology Group.

Hey, even those that should be the most security conscious lose them if they don’t take care…

• In July 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 184 laptops had been stolen or lost. At least one contained classified information.
• In April 2001, the British Defense Ministry reported that over 200 laptops--many containing classified material--had been unaccounted for since 1997.
• In September 2000, the CEO of a technology company left his laptop on a podium after delivering a speech. When he returned minutes later, the computer was gone.
  From Security Watch, June 2002 p7(1)

These are but a few examples of the need for computer security.

Required By Law

In May 2003, the FTC enacted the GLBA Safeguards rule.  If you fall under their designation, you are required to comply with this rule, in the office, in your home - wherever you have your data!

In April 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services, enacted the HIPAA Privacy Rule with requirements for safeguards.  If you are in healhtcare, or are otherwise covered by HIPAA, you are required to comply with the Privacy Rule safeguards, and the HIPAA Security Rule, regardless of where the data is - on your laptop, PDA PalmPilot, etc.

Do you comply?  If you don't, it's a criminal offense!

Real Security - Real Laws

If you are a consumer and need help, you can turn to any number of sources, including larger computer retailers, as well as the publishers and vendors of security software products.  Regardless of where you turn, get the help you need to stay safe!

If you are a business, you can not treat security in the same way a consumer would.  You have real liability for your security.  You are covered by layers of regulations and statutes.  Compliance in your environment can save your business or send you to jail.  Always seek the guidance of competent security and regulatory compliance professionals for your security.  Remember, it's the LAW.

For Business Security and Regulatory Compliance Safeguards support, please contact:   safeguards @ timmcguinness . com