Road Warriors – Keeping systems and data safe and secure while working remote

But besides the undisputable advantages, the same technological boost is responsible for placing the off-site workers among the most exposed users in the IT&C world.

The current e-threats landscape already offers more than 2,000 new and mutated viruses per day, almost 50,000 phishing attempts per month and more than 1,000,000 hijacked computers that spread bots, rootkits, Trojans and other malware during one year. Adding to these cyber menaces, remote staff is also faced with the risks of laptop theft or data interception, while companies usually confront with intruders that attempt to access the corporate network posing as employees.

To safeguard and secure the integrity of remote systems, corporate network and business data, probably the best strategy is a multi-tiered approach that covers three main aspects: physical, connectivity and data.

The Physical Tier - Protecting Your Laptop

On one hand, laptops and netbooks are twice as expensive as the classical desktop solutions, especially because they include state of the art technology, designed to fulfill users' expectations in terms of computing power, storage, and connectivity.

On the other hand, they allow users to store and carry an entire workspace or office anywhere in this world. Laptops also hold this added value consisting in data and information employees store and update with each and every day of work, whether we talk about the latest business plan or the elaborate expenses report a manager expects by the end of the month.

For these two main reasons, laptops and their data are one of the most wanted prey for regular thieves. The following 10 simple rules and recommendations may prevent users from losing their systems and data stored within.

#1 Probably the simplest and cost effective way to secure a laptop is to use a security cable. Usually, thieves are looking for preys that are easy to catch (or, in this case, to detach).

#2 Label and tag your laptop and all its accessories, as well as removable peripherals.

#3 To prevent unauthorized access or laptop displacement, use motion sensors and alarms.

#4 When travelling, try to carry your laptop in a briefcase which does not hold the laptop producer logo. Choose instead a bag or backpack with similar protection elements, but with a casual design.

#5 Avoid carrying your laptop when it is not really necessary. If possible, store the data you need on a CD, Flash Disk or memory card. Thus, you prevent laptop theft plus you can move around faster, saving time and energy. Plus, you could travel more freely, especially when you have to fly, avoiding a supplemental airport security check.

#6 Do not leave your laptop bag or briefcase locked in your car or in the car's trunk. Take it with you and watch it all the time.

#7 Same advice when you go shopping: do not leave your laptop unattended in your shopping cart while you choose products from the shelf; those few seconds you read a label are more than sufficient to lose it for good. In the worst case, use the store's lockers or luggage compartments or ask the store staff to deposit your laptop in a safe place during your visit.

#8 At the hotel or conference center, you can store your laptop in a safety-deposit or in the hotel/center vault.

#9 Subscribe to a laptop tracing and tracking service.

#10 If you are the victim of a theft, contact the authorities and provide a detailed description of the circumstances, while also specifying the exact laptop model and its features.