Survey: 62 Percent Of Companies Believe Missing Computers Go Unnoticed

  • Nov 19, 2007

Absolute Software Corp. recently polled its customers about their attitudes toward computer and data security. Absolute surveyed two groups: corporate customers of Absolute's Computrace solutions and customers that had purchased Computrace LoJack for Laptops, Absolute's computer tracking and recovery solution for consumers.

"Consumers, as well as corporations, need to have a multi-layered approach to computer and data security," said John Livingston, chairman and CEO of Absolute Software. "Most of us store personal information, banking records, credit card information, passwords and other sensitive data that could be used to harm us if it falls into the wrong hands. For businesses, a lost or stolen computer can lead to the intense media scrutiny associated with a data breach. Consumers who experience the loss of a computer may be at increased risk for identity theft and often lose irreplaceable photos, records and music collections."

Corporations should be fearful of a data breach. By their own estimates, 16 percent believe a significant breach can cost $1 million dollars or more, 20 percent believe it can cost close to $100,000 and 22 percent believe it will cost nearly $10,000. More than half of companies (62 percent) surveyed believe that historically, computers have been lost or stolen that no one is even aware of.

One in five (20 percent) companies reported experiencing a data breach in the past and believe that the majority (61 percent) of data breaches are perpetrated by internal employees. However, one in five (20 percent) also believe that sensitive data has been breached that no one in the company is aware of. What kind of data is being exposed? 39 percent have had confidential business information lost, 22 percent have had employee information breached, 22 percent have had customer information misplaced and 16 percent have had Social Security numbers stolen.

Absolute's consumer survey found that one in five (20 percent) people knew of a friend, family member or co-worker that had their computer lost or stolen. Approximately one in 10 (8 percent) reported having their own personal or work computer lost or stolen.

The majority (62 percent) of consumers had spent between $1,000-$2,000 on their computer. One-fourth (25 percent) spent between $2,000-$3,000 and approximately one in 10 (7 percent) spent more than $3,000.

Consumers are concerned about more than the cost of the hardware when a computer is lost or stolen. Their top four concerns (in order of diminishing importance) are losing their computer, having someone steal their identity, losing files/data and having unauthorized persons access their files.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.