Traveling With Your Practice Laptop This Summer?

Are you planning to travel with your practice laptop this year? Here are some interesting statistics for you to take into account.

Important Statistics on Lost Laptops

According to a survey by Ponemon Institute, “TSA reports that at mid-level and large airports, 90,000-100,000 laptops are left at TSA checkpoints – an estimated 10,279 each week. 65% of those are never reclaimed. 53% said their laptops contained confidential business information, yet 63% of those had taken no steps to protect the information. 76% of companies surveyed reported losing one or more laptops each year, with 22% of those lost due to theft. The FTC recommends that you ‘treat your laptop like cash!'”

Risks of Traveling With Your Laptop

If you are going to use your practice’s laptop computer while traveling, it is imperative to understand that traveling with a laptop could open you up to data breaches or cyberattacks. Take note that failure on your part to take the proper cybersecurity measures when traveling could put your entire business at risk.

Preparing Your Laptop for Travel

Here are ways to prepare your laptop for travel:

1. Update Your Passwords
   Update all your passwords to something difficult to crack. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t reuse passwords across applications.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
   Make sure all your login applications have multi-factor authentication enabled. Consider using a credential system that requires an unlocking USB or biometric lock.
3. Encrypt Your Data
   Fully encrypt your device using disk encryption software to keep your data secure. Store sensitive information in an encrypted cloud connection, not on the device itself.
4. Turn Off Your Laptop When Not in Use
   When not using your computer, shut it down completely. Avoid sleep mode as it leaves your device vulnerable.
5. Disable Auto Wi-Fi Connections
   Turn off auto Wi-Fi connections to prevent your device from automatically connecting to unsecured networks.

A Personal Story on Cybersecurity

When I (Gracie) was in college, I was with a group of people who had their laptop computers out. One of the guys there claimed that he was a computer hacker (but wanted to use his skills for good), and we asked him to prove his abilities. He told us to watch a specific computer that was present belonging to another guy, and said that he was going to open its CD drive from where he was sitting with his own computer. Within a matter of two minutes, the said computer’s CD drive opened without anyone touching it. Scary? Yep. This story just goes to show that it doesn’t take much effort for an expert to connect your computer to theirs and manipulate it. 

Contact Your IT Provider

Contact your IT rep for help in preparing your practice computer for travel. Proper preparation is essential to keep your data safe while you’re on the move.

Have any questions?