Absolute Software, as computer recovery specialist, can often spot trends in computer thefts from the number of reported threats to its Theft Recover Team. In a press release last week, Absolute notes that the number of computer thefts has increased during (or perhaps the result of) the recent economic downturn.

“We are seeing a rapid increase in the number of computer thefts reported to our Theft Recovery Team.” - John Livingston, Chairman and CEO of Absolute.

Although some of the growth in the figures can be attributed to more Absolute customers, the team believes some of this is due to the current economic situation. With theft on the rise, there is undoubtedly going to be an increase in identity theft and data breaches.

Of course, with more laptop losses being reported to Absolute, there are more great success stories to share about Absolute’s recovery efforts. As part of the press release, several mini case studies of recent stolen computers were featured.

Absolute Software helps protect thousands of computers for consumers and businesses alike. Computrace helps businesses track computers, manage software, and recover lost computers. It adds a much needed layer of data protection that should be considered in these risky times.

*For complete details on $1000 Service Guarantee, see http://www.absolute.com/Service_Agreement.pdf

In addition to the Kent SD case study highlighted here last week, Absolute Software is profiling how a US Federal Government Agency uses Computrace to protect their assets.

In 2006, a Federal agency realized that its higher profile meant that they needed to increase existing data and computer security measures. Government regulations require that data breaches be reported with, and dealt with, quickly. With these two considerations in mind, the agency began a pilot project in 2007 with 3,500 computers. After the success of the pilot project, they purchased 30,000 licenses of Computrace to protect their entire laptop population.

The agency can now inventory computers in the field, report on installed software, and delete classified data if computers go missing. For more information about Computrace, read here.

For more case studies from Absolute Software, check out here.

The latest Absolute Software case study involves the education sector. In specific, how the Kent School District in Washington use Computrace to inventory computers and crack down on theft.

Kent School District began introducing notebook computers into its programs back in 1998 - schools with access to mobile technologies and new instructional strategies have performed very well in the district. With laptops spread across the district’s 40 buildings, there were a number of IT challenges in keeping track of those assets. After beta testing Computrace on 90 tablet PCs, Kent SD has now implemented the system across its entire 12,000+ notebook and desktop population.

Before Computrace, Kent SD would assign 10 people to do an inventory check - a process that took 3 months out of every year. Now, Kent SD can run a 5 minute report from Computrace and know where all of the 12,000+ computers are.

Computrace is more than just a theft deterrence product, but with a district of this size, theft was also a consideration in choosing the service from Absolute. After thieves broke into a school facility and stole 30 computers, Computrace was used to track the computers back to the thieves, who are now facing charges. In another theft situation, the remote data delete was used to ensure sensitive information would not breach.

To read more about Kent SD’s IT challenges, and their solutions, check out the full case study here.

For more case studies from Absolute Software, check out here.

A friend of ours, Chris Pirillo, runs a live video stream fairly regularly. In a live streaming he did several months ago, he made mention of Computrace LoJack for Laptops, an Absolute Software laptop recovery service for consumers.

Absolute Software has announced a new service to add to their comprehensive data security Computrace suite. Post-theft forensic auditing services will now be offered through the online customer center IT asset management portal. Organizations will be able to determine if sensitive information on lost or stolen computers has been accessed. It will also be able to determine if an encrypted volume or password has been compromised.

John Livingston, CEO of Absolute Software, notes:

“The ability to track computers off the network, physically recover missing computers and remotely delete sensitive information with the assurance that the data has not been accessed by criminals is essential for true compliance with data protection regulations.’

The ability to determine if information has been accessed provides visibility and accountability in the event of a data breach. Organizations will be able to prove that they have removed sensitive information from lost computers (via the remote data delete) and will also be able to prove that the lost information is safe.

This new service helps companies confirm compliance with data privacy regulations, and can also aid in the breach fallout with stakeholders. By demonstrating that data is safe, an element sorely missing from most breach notification announcements, companies can retain the trust and security of their valued stakeholders.

Tags: absolute software, computrace, it security, data security, compliance, forensic auditing, auditing, data breach, it asset management, it security, business security, laptop security

Absolute Software, after an analysis of the 42 data breaches affecting the healthcare industry in 2007 affecting nearly 5 million records, have put together the Top Five Healthcare Computer Security Risks. They are:

1. Failure to Protect Sensitive Data Beyond Encryption - 72% of IT managers believe employees are responsible for data breaches (despite encryption)
2. Inability to Accurately Manage Mobile Computer Assets - how many computers do you have, where are they, who has access to them, and what is installed on them?
3. Sensitive Information on Public Terminals - public terminals can breach private data
4. Difficulty Implementing a Comprehensive Data Security Plan - from cable locks and encryption to asset tracking and recovery. The plan should be reviewed and updated consistently.
5. Reluctance to Create a Data Breach Policy - many companies fear creating a ‘nightmare scenario’, but a simple series of procedures must be in place for effective reaction and notification to incidents

You can read further details - and solutions - here.

Tags: absolute, absolute software, computrace, healthcare, security, computer security risks, healthcare security, it security, data security, data breach

Absolute Software will be giving a presentation on data breach prevention in healthcare at the 2008 Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference, held between February 24-28, is one of the largest healthcare IT exhibitions in the world. With more than 850 exhibitors, 200 education sessions, and new product launches, the conference is a hub of knowledge in the industry.

Absolute Software will be partnering with Allina Hospitals & Clinics for “Best Practices for Data Breach Prevention in Healthcare” on February 27 at 4:15 in the HIMSS Product Pavilion (session 8273). Absolute’s VP Healthcare Don Hughes will talk about Allina’s innovative use if Internet-based IT asset management, remote data delete and computer theft recovery technologies. Allina secures its more than 2,700 mobile computers with Computrace and will share best practices in this session.

For more best practices in data breach prevention for the health care industry, visit Absolute Software at booth #6878 at the HIMSS show in Orlando, or download a whitepaper here.

Tags: absolute software, allina, allina hospitals and clinics, absolute, healthcare, health information, himss, himss conference, it, healthcare it, it security, data security

On January 15th, Absolute Software announced that it has now recovered 5,000 stolen laptops on behalf of Computrace & Lojack customers.

Absolute Software works with law enforcement agencies to recover lost and stolen computers and to provide evidence for the prosecution of thieves. Recovering stolen computers is an important step in laptop and data security practices. Absolute Software has now returned 5000 stolen computers - that’s 5000 computers whose data has been secured, that don’t need to be replaced, and that help put laptop thieves behind bars.

Some statistics about laptop security:

• Absolute Software recovers an average of 50 laptops per week
• Absolute Software recovers 3 out of 4 stolen computers that call into the Absolute Monitoring Center

Read more from the news release here, including some new case studies.

Tags: absolute software, computrace, lojack, lojack for laptops, laptop security

Absolute Software recently surveyed its corporate and consumer customers about data security. The survey was completed by 402 corporate customers and 1842 consumer customers.

The survey found that computers have been lost without company awareness, and that such losses are costly. Companies who use Computrace reported a better ability to manage computer assets. For consumers, identity theft and the cost of losing a computer rank as important reasons for using laptop recovery software. However, most consumers do not take other precautions against laptop theft, such as encryption or password-protection.

John Livingston, chairman and CEO of Absolute Software, has this to say:

“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.”

Here are some highlights from the corporate survey:

• 62% of companies believe missing computers go unnoticed
• 20% believe data has been breached without company awareness
• 20% of companies have experienced a data breach ; 61% of those breaches are attributed to employee error or misconduct
• 16% believe a significant breach can cost $1 million dollars or more
• 83% of companies indicate they are better able to manage their computers with Computrace (to deter theft & recover missing computers)
• Data loss is 39% confidential business information, 22% employee information, 22% customer information, 16% Social Security Numbers

For more results from the corporate survey, read here.

From the consumer survey, results indicate that 20% of people know of someone who has had a computer lost or stolen. Concerns about lost computers were, in order of importance: losing their hardware, having someone steal their identity, losing files/data and having unauthorized persons access their files.

Read more from the consumer survey here.

Tags: absolute software, laptop security, data security, it security, business security, computrace, lojack for laptops, identity theft, id theft, survey, business survey

A man stole 150 laptops from offices in 5 states in the past 5 years by portraying himself as ‘trusting’ to office employees.

A clean-cut and well dressed man would walk into an office and mingle with the company staff. He would blend into the crowd in his “faceless” attire and manner. When they left for the day, he’d pack up the office laptops and walk away. Eric Almly was a serial laptop thief - known to some as the Khaki Bandit - until he made one fatal mistake. He went up against LoJack for Laptops - and lost.

Eric Almly had his routine down - he’d practiced until perfect. His operation, from choosing his targets to the resale of his stolen goods online, was flawless. No fingerprints, no leads from video surveillance, no connection between stolen goods and online sales.

But Eric Almly chose the wrong target in April of this year. He stole 11 laptops from the Tampa headquarters of Outback Steakhouse; unfortunately for Eric, 9 of those laptops were equipped with Absolute Software’s LoJack for Laptops.

The stolen computers transmitted the computer’s physical address to police, and police were able to nab the thief. Almly was then connected with many other crimes from the evidence on hand.

Almly had gotten away with 139 laptop thefts before being caught, and would have continued to evade police had Outback Steakhouse not protected their laptop computers with Absolute’s product.

Via sptimes, wsj Tags: eric almly, lojack, lojack for laptops, laptop security, laptop theft, serial thief, laptop recovery