Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says GPS Reduces Laptop Theft's Costs

Research has shown that the loss of just one laptop computer can cost an organization tens of thousands of dollars. To minimize the risk of unnecessary costs, a personal security and identity theft expert urges companies everywhere to install affordable GPS tracking on their portable computers.

[ClickPress, Fri Oct 06 2006] IDTheftSecurity.com) Research into the financial impact of laptop computer theft has suggested that the loss of just one laptop computer can cost as much as $90,000, or even more. Robert Siciliano, a personal security and identity theft expert, said the findings, available since 2002, further illustrated the gravity of last week’s theft of a major corporation’s laptop computer, and the utility of the alternative: GPS tracking technology.

“Organizations faced with lost data often incur financial costs related to fines, credit monitoring for victims, public relations damage control, and class action litigation,” said Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com. “Companies are only hurting themselves when they ignore the logical alternative to these costs: safeguarding laptops by equipping them with affordable GPS tracking technology.”

Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. The Privacy Learning Institute recently featured him on its Web site. This year, Siciliano has discussed identity theft on CNBC’s “On the Money” multiple times, on NBC’s “Today Show,” and on FOX News. He is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.”

Last week Reuters and others reported on the theft of a laptop computer belonging to General Electric Co. The machine, stolen from a locked hotel room where a GE employee authorized to use the computer had left it, contained the Social Security numbers of approximately 50,000 current and former employees of the company.

According to the 2002 Computer Security Institute/FBI Computer Crime & Security Survey, the theft of a laptop results in an average financial loss of $89,000, with only a small percentage of the sum actually relating to the hardware cost.

“An enormous percentage of small and large businesses continue to sit completely idle,” said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS (www.MyLaptopGPS.com), whose product of the same name can track, via the Internet, any stolen or lost laptop worldwide. “Files are not encrypted, covert tracking is not installed, and remote control of the laptop data is not even considered.”

The incident involving GE’s laptop computer was the latest in a string of far-reaching, highly publicized losses and outright thefts of thousands of laptops this past year at the Commerce Department, the Veterans Affairs Department, Hotels.com, Equifax Inc.

“The potential financial cost from this past year’s losses and thefts alone is staggering,” said Siciliano. “Because of this, organizations owe it to themselves, employees, and customers to minimize the impact of laptop computer loss and theft.”

For a nominal monthly fee that pales in comparison to the financial cost of lost laptops, MyLaptopGPS™ uses GPS to track these machines when they are lost or stolen. The product also installs software that encrypts and silently removes the important files from them—returning these electronic documents to the rightful user while placing them out of a criminal’s reach.

“MyLaptopGPS brings enormous piece of mind,” said Yost. “This product turns the tables and enables businesses to remotely, covertly, and inexpensively destroy stolen data—with or without recovering it first—and, at the same time, track a laptop thief.”

“GPS tracking technology solves many problems caused due to loss or theft,” Siciliano concluded. “The simplest way for a company to keep track of laptop computers, which frequently travel with employees, is to equip these machines with GPS.”

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About IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity theft affects us all, which is why Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, “The Suze Orman Show,” “ABC News with Sam Donaldson,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” and “The Howard Stern Show.” Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com.

About MyLaptopGPS
Since 1984, the minds behind AIT Solutions, LLC (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) have specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been servicing leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems. With MyLaptopGPS™, AIT Solutions, LLC brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services.

The media are encouraged to get in touch directly with the following individuals:

Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
E-MAIL: Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com/

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner, President
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
E-MAIL: BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
http://www.STETrevisions.biz

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