If company laptops, PDAs, or other mobile devices can't be found, it doesn't always mean that they've been stolen. Companies often lose track of these IT assets because there's no clear record of them. Encryption and inventory management can help to safeguard against the loss of confidential data.
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articlesSafeguarding Data Loss-Olaf Siemens, Head of R&D, Utimaco Safeware - The Data Security Company
If company laptops, When large companies and organizations run inventory checks of Tips for choosing an effective their electronic devices, managers often end up scratching theirPDAs, or other mobile encryption solutionheads. How can it be that - like in the song - suddenly only 90devices can't be found, The best encryption software for mobile devices uses securecompany laptops can be located instead of the original 100?it doesn't always mean algorithms, such as the well-established AES algorithm. ThisTheft or absentminded employees are just two of a number ofthat they've been algorithm also allows for installation at a later stage and can bepossible explanations. Over time, companies can lose track of used on several different operating systems. Additional criteriastolen. Companies mobile devices in the everyday "chaos" of the enterprise. If a when selecting the software are low maintenance requirements,often lose track of device changes department, location, or user - and this might transparent and automatic operation, a high degree of stability,these IT assets because happen several times in the span of just a few months - it is often and a short test phase. The more thought a company puts intothere's no clear record subsequently listed as "missing." The danger is that confidential its security policy, the better and faster it will then be able toof them. Encryption and data on those devices can get into unauthorized hands and be meet this list of requirements. inventory management sold to third parties or exploited for someone's own ends.can help to safeguard Efficient software for administering data security must provideagainst the loss of Protect your data as a security precaution simple mechanisms for the uniform, central configuration of allLosing data is every company's worst-case scenario. To prevent it relevant security rules. The more comprehensibly these rules areconfidential data. from happening, devices at risk and critical documents should be structured results in the fewer potential sources of error and theprotected right from the start. Professional encryption solutions less training and planning needed. Sector-based encryption conceptsprotect data with a security shield to stop people from accessing are the easiest to use because they cover the entire data storagedata that they're not supposed to. Inventory management medium. In contrast to file-based or directory-based systems, only aSummary: solutions can help keep track of everything, and introducing few standardized rules, encompassing large client groups, need toReaders should learn company-wide security policies make employees aware of be defined. And another important thing: professional securitypossible security threats. Doing this not only protects confidentialhow security management solutions provide protection that is more extensive and of a higherdata, but also prevents having surprising numbers of devices quality than an operating system's own tools. They offer otherwill help to meet IT disappear. advantages, too: Security policies can be enforced across platforms,security challenges and the entire hard drive can be encrypted, removable media can behow to enforce a security Increasing numbers of security breaches backed up, and heterogeneous PC environments can be supported. policy in their company. and "missing" equipmentIn a recent U.S. study, the Ponemon Institute found that the number Integrated concepts support due diligence of incidents of data security breaches had increased by more than Knowledge is the best defense against the risk of devices30 percent in 2005. The study reported that more than 90 percent disappearing. Employees can be taught security rules to observeof these incidents were a result of the loss or theft of digital and which forms to complete in order to protect devices and theinformation. And there was another bitter pill for the companies network - as well as to be reminded to keep a watchful eye onconcerned to swallow. When the data abuse became public mobile devices. Management and executives are legally requiredknowledge, 60 percent of all their customers either terminated to provide careful and secure data management. Fo... [download for more]
