Top 6 Tips to Protect Your Business Technology & Data From Theft | Abbotsford IT Consultants
Tech Theft
We have talked a fair bit, before, about protecting your business against online threats. After all, there are all sorts of scammers constantly trying to steal passwords, identities, data or money. But what about the good old-fashioned real-world threats of tech theft? No matter how safe you think your location is, break-ins and property theft are also still a real concern. One that you should take into consideration for your business.
Here are our top 6 tips to protect your business and prevent Tech Theft
1. Anchor or tether equipment to immovable objects
A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds (according to tech research firm, Gartner). Stats suggest that the vast majority of tech theft happens in public places. However, they are still a quick payday from an office-interloper too. Did you know there is a way that you can lock up your laptop to protect it from light-fingered visitors? Almost all laptops, for quite a while now, have a small opening on them where you can attach a locking cable. So, you can use this to lock your laptop to an immovable object! You can also do something similar with desktop units in the office.
2. Lock computer cases to prevent removal of hard disks.
For the smart thief, yanking out hard drives makes a quicker & lighter getaway. To thwart them, locking a computer case completely shuts them out. Add that to a machine already tethered and your data is far safer in the event of tech theft!
3. Back-up data to online storage
I know. Our favourite phrase does seem to be back-up, back-up, back-up! But, we just can’t stress this one enough! Back-ups can save so much time and money in cases of data loss from tech theft… whether it is from a theft or natural disaster. Using online server storage will also protect precious data in the event of a hardware theft, since that precious data was never on the machine to begin with!
4. Encrypt your hard disk
If you do have to keep important data or files on your PC/laptop, then encrypting your hard disk is a great way of keeping non-authorized eyes away from the goods in the event of tech theft (Particularly if you are on the road a lot and not always able to tether your machine). If you are using Windows 7, 8 or 10, then this is actually a really easy thing to do yourself. You can see how, by checking out this quick tip video from our sister company…
5. Keep servers & network storage devices locked away.
If you do use physical storage devices in your business, make sure they are kept in a locked room or cabinet to prevent tech theft. Key/combination holders should be kept to a minimum, with access given to only those people who really need it.
6. Install tracking software
If you are the kind of business that is on the move a lot, you may want to consider installing tracking software or services to your mobile devices. Sadly, the chances of retrieving a stolen device are slim, but this could give you a fighting chance. Many will, at least, give you the opportunity to wipe the data from the wandering device! Prey and LockItTight are 2 such services. They can help you to track your devices and secure or delete data in the event of tech theft.
If you are an Apple consumer, you have the Find My Mac or iPhone options in the iCloud settings. It also allows you to lock or wipe the devices. Make sure the setting is on.
