Boston, Mass. 10/12/2007 12:30:00 AM
Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Cites Research in Call for Organizations of All Kinds to Improve Their Mobile Computing Security Measures
(IDTheftSecurity.com) According to reports, researchers in the U.K. have found that security there is not a priority for those in charge of the many devices and business networks that enable computer users to be mobile. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, said the research, combined with news of recent thefts of laptop computers belonging to major U.S. universities' professors, underscored the fact that organizations of kinds must take mobile computing security seriously.
"Whether in the U.S. or the U.K.," said Siciliano, "the security surrounding laptop computers and the tools that enable their users to be mobile and connected is evidently still lacking. And yet technologies such as Internet-based GPS and electronic inventorying are easy to use and cost pennies to the thousands, even millions, of dollars that typify data security snafus."
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC's "Today Show," FOX News, and elsewhere.
So far this fall, laptop computers at two major U.S. universities have been stolen. Both computers were under professors' custody when they went missing. One of the incidents occurred at the University of Iowa and, according to the report in the Oct. 8th DesMoines Register, placed 100 students' Social Security numbers at risk. Students at Carnegie Mellon University faced similar concerns when two laptop computers containing Social Security numbers were stolen from a computer science professor's office, according to an Oct. 8th report in the school's paper, The Tartan.
Last month, vnunet.com reported on the Benchmark of IT Strategy 2007, a report produced by the Manchester, U.K.-based National Computing Centre:
http://www.nccmembership.co.uk/pooled/articles/BF_WEBART/view.asp?Q=BF_WEBART_293199
According to the Sept. 6th article, although data from the report suggested that attention to laptop security is on the rise, findings also revealed that "40 percent of respondents have either not secured, or only partially secured, their wireless networks" and that "only 11 percent have any kind of security system in place to govern" the use of portable storage devices:
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2198182/security-lax-uk-business
"Wireless networks, portable storage devices, and the like are often used in conjunction with, and facilitate, mobile computing," said Siciliano. "Any lack of attention to the security of these elements eventually affects the security of laptop computers themselves."
Organizations that need an affordable, simple solution for laptop security may turn to MyLaptopGPS™:
http://www.mylaptopgps.com/
The product combines Internet-based GPS tracking -- which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS -- with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. Users launch MyLaptopGPS' features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal's hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware -- at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.
MyLaptopGPS also offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers. A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available:
http://www.mylaptopgps.com/demo
"Laptop computers, along with the ancillary devices and networks that make them truly mobile in functionality, are ripe targets for thieves," said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS. "Smart organizations acknowledge this and take actions to counter the threat, and MyLaptopGPS's products give their actions teeth by providing intuitive, robust, and affordable mobile computing security, a major cornerstone of the effort to thwart high-tech criminals."
The October 2007 issue of Bank Fraud & IT Security Report, a newsletter published only in hard copy, ran an article by Siciliano and Yost on the seven layers of laptop computer security. Readers may view YouTube video of "NBC 7 Chicago" footage featuring Yost delivering comments for a televised news report that covered the April 2007 theft of two laptops that stored 40,000 Chicago Public School teachers' Social Security numbers:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MylaptopGPSdotcom
To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has been affected by the theft of a laptop computer, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug:
http://www.videojug.com/interview/identity-theft-computers-and-laptops
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About MyLaptopGPS
Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™'s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company's commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.
About IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman's Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.
For more information, visit Siciliano's Web site (http://www.idtheftsecurity.com/), blog (http://www.realtysecurity.com/blog), and YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/stungundotcom).
The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:
John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
http://www.MyLaptopGPS.com
Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com
Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
http://www.STETrevisions.biz
