Re: Laptop cable locks

[Robert Meyers <remeyers () MAIL WVU EDU>]

Defense in Depth is serious business.  Unless you put a dead bolt on a door with a full pane window insert.
 
BTW - do a youtube search on "kensington lock pick."  As many have said, these locks slow the amateur, and amuse the 
pro without a cable cutter.
 
Warn potential thiefs that all locks were treated with silver nitrate and it stains finger tips black.  Watch for 
anyone glancing at their hands.  ;-)
 
Bob
 
 
 
 
Robert E. Meyers,  Ms.Ed.
Manager, Security Awareness
  Information Security Services
West Virginia University
 
 
 
 

> > > Russ Leathe <Russ.Leathe () GORDON EDU> 4:00 PM Thursday, May 24, 2012 >>>

Thanks all for your excellent input!

It's not that we are against securing desktops.  The area we are concerned about has laptops only.

We thought about guard dogs, but voted against it.  :)

Seriously, the best option(s) are multiple protection methods...  If I read everyone's comments correctly.

Many thanks!

Russ

-----Original Message-----
From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Pratt, 
Benjamin E.
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 10:29 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU 
Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Laptop cable locks

-----Original Message-----
From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Russ 
Leathe
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 8:47 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU 
Subject: [SECURITY] Laptop cable locks

What's your take on securing physical machines?  Are laptop locks worth the expense or 'tie down brackets' the way to 
go?

http://www.computersecurity.com/computer_cage/index.html 

laptops are in a secure room, bitlocker and domain logon needed.  I have always thought cable locks are more of a 
deterrent than preventive.  We are also are installing camera's that are tied to our public safety.

Just trying to cover all tracks


Thanks for your input,

Russ Leathe
Director Of Networking and Computer Services Gordon College

--

I particularly liked the line about locks being "more of a deterrent than preventive" but isn't that the case with all 
security? And I do mean ALL security. If someone is determined, intelligent, and funded enough to get something, either 
physical or data, they will get it. Your question is what are you willing to spend to protect what you have and what is 
the likely cost of losing something (both replacement and hassle)? A cheap cable lock for $10? A better(?) cable lock 
for $30? The cage for $100+? Or armed guards? If you spend the money and it doesn't walk away did you overspend? If you 
buy something cheap and it walks away did you not do enough?

That being said, we tie down anything that's in a public area but most of our office areas do not have 
workstations/laptops tied down. We've had a couple of iPads, iPods and other electronics walk away but it hasn't been 
enough to change everybody's mind on convenience vs. security yet.

Ben