Back to articles

Did you know that a whopping 98% of businesses have experienced laptop theft?

Although this does take into account the people affected by the data that was on the stolen machine, this is still an incredibly high figure. The purpose of a laptop is that you can work, access internet on the move – whether you’re on the train, in the park catching the sun or even just working at home – but of course when you’re out and about this increases the risk of your laptop being stolen by a large degree. 

There is a very simple tool on the market for protecting your laptops – the Kensington Lock.  It’s a simple concept – a lockable length of carbon tempered steel – very similar to a bike lock. Most people are not aware of this but almost every laptop that is made includes a port for the Kensington Lock to fit into, so there is no excuse really for not protecting your gear!  One end of the lock fits into the port on your laptop and the other wraps around a solid structure, eg a chair leg when you’re on the train. Unless the assailant is carrying a pair of wire cutters, this is one of the best tools on the market for protecting you from theft.

Some interesting facts for you to think about*:

1. 58% the percentage of the cost of laptop theft to an organisation that is related to non-hardware issues such as the loss of intellectual property

2. 49% the percentage of SME's that take 2 - 4 days to replace a lost or stolen laptop

3. 3% the chances of retrieving a stolen laptop

4. £7,878 / £8,823 the estimated cost of a laptop theft including hardware and information

*source: European IDC Research 2006

To see the range of Kensington Lock’s on offer please click here.