June 29, 2006 |
Posted By Diane Pfadenhauer |
More on Stolen Laptops and Data Security
The laptop stolen from a Veteran's Affairs employee's home has been found by the FBI with its data intact and without tampering according to an article in the New York Times.
"The records included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers for millions of people, although the exact number has not been clear. At first, the department said information on 26.5 million veterans was affected. Later, it said the number included forces on active duty, as well as veterans. Last week, the agency lowered the number of people at risk to 17.5 million, saying the earlier estimate had not taken into account deaths and duplication of records."
In the mean time, the Wall Street Journal (registration required) reported on the growing trend for organizations to monitor laptops, their whereabouts and their security. Included in these activities are:
- More restrictions on who can take secure data out of the office
- Training on how to keep data secure
- Boeing requires that laptops be physically locked with a cable to a stationary object at all times including in cars, offices and conference rooms
- Restricting the use of employee-owned personal digital assistants that link to an employer's computer systems, including disabling USB ports so that these gadgets cannot be connected
- More than 88 million Americans have been put at risk because of data security breaches
- Data breaches costs organizations an average of $5,000,000 per incident in direct costs