Let's protect our notebook!

A number of serious data security incidents in the recent past have highlighted the need for more careful protection of data stored on laptops and mobile devices.

This year, various institutions and companies have had to deal with many data security incidents in which the confidential data of tens of thousands of people fell into unauthorized hands. In a significant number of cases, laptops and mobile devices have lost their mark. However, these devices often did not have any encryption or security solution, so the data stored on them could be easily obtained. Most recently, GE had to record a serious security incident in which the confidential data of more than 50 people fell into the wrong hands over a notebook stolen from a hotel room.

CREDANT Technologies was curious about how seriously companies take the risks posed by laptops and what protection measures they take. According to a CREDANT survey of more than 400 IT professionals, 88 percent of users store a significant amount of confidential data — social security numbers, license numbers, financial and health information — on a variety of mobile devices. According to three-quarters of those surveyed, the most effective protection for portable devices is data encryption. Nevertheless, less than 20 percent of them actually use some sort of encryption solution. The majority of respondents do not use security devices on mobile devices because they believe that there is no appropriate technology and that companies lack the commitment of managers to implement encryption solutions.

Bob Heard, a CREDANT expert, said organizations and companies should protect their values ​​more effectively. This is because the security of confidential data will become increasingly important in business and in competition between companies. Today, however, the use of encryption solutions is far from satisfactory.