Re: Physical Laptop Security

[Mark Bruhn <mbruhn () INDIANA EDU>]

There are also small pads that you can buy:  one sticks on the laptop,
and one goes somewhere else (e.g., stuck on the desk where the laptop is
used).  If the two pads get too far apart, an alarm goes off.  If the
faculty member takes the laptop away, they also take the second pad,
perhaps in their pocket (not in the laptop case, since that whole thing
could be stolen...)  These are good for PDAs, cell phones (though they
are a bit large for small phones).  You can see these at Best Buy.

There is also tracking software that you hide on the laptop, which helps
locate it post-theft.  Our risk management department gives departments
a lower deductible if this software is installed.  If one is stolen, the
next time it connects to the network, the software "phones home."

I have to say that I have no direct experience with either of these
methods...

M.

Ron Parker wrote:

> We are having the department purchase a cable lock that is secured to the
> faculty member's desk. We also put these locks in lecture rooms that have
> computers that tend to disappear. The faculty member has the key and so do
> we. We also have some faculty who have purchased laptop "lockers" that are
> bolted to their desks. This requires them to put the laptop into the
> locker when they leave it in their office. For most faculty, who like to
> wander off and leave their doors open, the cable option works the best. It
> will at least slow down a thief. Obviously, the cable can be cut or
> someone can just destroy the desk or table to get it loose. One of our
> faculty, in our chemical process technology area, wrapped his cable
> through a 10" pipe flange that weighs about 100 pounds. That is probably
> extreme for most faculty.
>
> --
> Ron Parker, Director of Information Technology, Brazosport College
> Voice: (979) 230-3480             FAX: (979) 230-3111
> http://www.brazosport.edu
>
>
> On Fri, 23 Jan 2004, Michelle Mueller wrote:
>
>
>
> > I'm wondering what people are doing to prevent faculty laptops from
> > being stolen on campus.  The obvious answer is, "have them lock their
> > office when they're gone."  One would think this to be common sense.
> > Unfortunately, it seems that is not the case.  Since we can't rely on
> > faculty locking their office what are some other options for physically
> > securing a laptop?
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Michelle Mueller
> > Network Specialist
> > Mount Mary College
> > Milwaukee, WI
> >
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