Most Stolen IT Equipment and How They Were Taken
Gadgets and other computer equipment are extremely high-value commodities.
These are not the wall-mounted mainframes of yesteryear.
In many cases, this equipment is pocket-sized, and these items continue to grow smaller each year as technology expands.
That blend of value and portability forms an alluring cocktail.
This presents complex challenges to the modern business.
On one hand, this computer equipment is a vital component in the modern business environment.
On the other hand, the business is exposing itself to the potential for great loss.
Therefore, let us look at the most-prized of this IT equipment and consider the ways in which people steal them.
5.
Mice (or Mouses) Mice have become the modern version of the pen in terms of stolen office supplies.
These are not high-value items individually, but the loss can be hefty due to the rate at which employees steal them.
Stealing a mouse is just a matter of detaching it and then placing it in a briefcase or even in one's pocket.
Some modern cases have theft guards that allow the IT technicians to string the mouse and keyboard wires through the case, which makes them more difficult to steal.
4.
Workstations and Peripherals The modern workstation is a powerful and expensive machine.
They are also relatively large, so the employee is not going to be able just to slip out with one at the end of the workday.
However, they are not so large that an employee working afterhours cannot simply place it in a cardboard box.
Most businesses post guards or at least cameras at all access points for this very reason, and they have policies in place that allow them to search large boxes and oversized bags.
3.
External Hard Drives Today's businessperson needs their portable data storage.
While the laptop often provides enough, some scenarios call for even greater size or portability.
The current large-capacity external hard drives are no larger than a hardback book, and USB flash drives are about the size of an adult thumb.
This size makes them extremely convenient, but also simple to pocket.
Many businesses have begun using lockable mounts for external HDDs.
In addition, manufacturers have begun to sell lockable USB drives.
When it comes to these small items, vigilance is the key to protecting them.
2.
Mobile Phones and Other Handheld Gadgets Our gadgets range from mobile phones to iPods to handheld GPS units.
Many of these items are the property of the employees, but the theft of these items is still a very large problem for the business.
The items have become so small that they are very easy to forget, and at that point, they are even simpler to steal.
Modern businesses have taken measure to protect against these types of thefts by reminding their employees about vigilance, passwords, and built-in tracking software.
Many larger companies will use their buying power to purchase a gadget-tracking service on behalf of their employees.
1.
Laptops Laptops are small, but not so small that a person can pocket them.
The problem lies in their abundance.
A laptop thief rarely looks out of place, and it is often difficult to distinguish one laptop from another.
Laptop lock mechanisms have become rather sophisticated, and they serve as an effective theft deterrent.
Most laptop thefts occur when the employee is out on business or travelling.
The most important protective measures involve protecting the data.
Tracking software can help to recover laptops, but in many instances, the thieves are just as sophisticated as the measures.
The increase in technology has also brought with it advances in security measures.
Today, it is easier than ever for the business to track its stolen computer equipment.
This acts as a great deterrent to many would-be thieves, but as long as computer equipment remains easy to liquidate, the risk of theft will remain quite high.
These are not the wall-mounted mainframes of yesteryear.
In many cases, this equipment is pocket-sized, and these items continue to grow smaller each year as technology expands.
That blend of value and portability forms an alluring cocktail.
This presents complex challenges to the modern business.
On one hand, this computer equipment is a vital component in the modern business environment.
On the other hand, the business is exposing itself to the potential for great loss.
Therefore, let us look at the most-prized of this IT equipment and consider the ways in which people steal them.
5.
Mice (or Mouses) Mice have become the modern version of the pen in terms of stolen office supplies.
These are not high-value items individually, but the loss can be hefty due to the rate at which employees steal them.
Stealing a mouse is just a matter of detaching it and then placing it in a briefcase or even in one's pocket.
Some modern cases have theft guards that allow the IT technicians to string the mouse and keyboard wires through the case, which makes them more difficult to steal.
4.
Workstations and Peripherals The modern workstation is a powerful and expensive machine.
They are also relatively large, so the employee is not going to be able just to slip out with one at the end of the workday.
However, they are not so large that an employee working afterhours cannot simply place it in a cardboard box.
Most businesses post guards or at least cameras at all access points for this very reason, and they have policies in place that allow them to search large boxes and oversized bags.
3.
External Hard Drives Today's businessperson needs their portable data storage.
While the laptop often provides enough, some scenarios call for even greater size or portability.
The current large-capacity external hard drives are no larger than a hardback book, and USB flash drives are about the size of an adult thumb.
This size makes them extremely convenient, but also simple to pocket.
Many businesses have begun using lockable mounts for external HDDs.
In addition, manufacturers have begun to sell lockable USB drives.
When it comes to these small items, vigilance is the key to protecting them.
2.
Mobile Phones and Other Handheld Gadgets Our gadgets range from mobile phones to iPods to handheld GPS units.
Many of these items are the property of the employees, but the theft of these items is still a very large problem for the business.
The items have become so small that they are very easy to forget, and at that point, they are even simpler to steal.
Modern businesses have taken measure to protect against these types of thefts by reminding their employees about vigilance, passwords, and built-in tracking software.
Many larger companies will use their buying power to purchase a gadget-tracking service on behalf of their employees.
1.
Laptops Laptops are small, but not so small that a person can pocket them.
The problem lies in their abundance.
A laptop thief rarely looks out of place, and it is often difficult to distinguish one laptop from another.
Laptop lock mechanisms have become rather sophisticated, and they serve as an effective theft deterrent.
Most laptop thefts occur when the employee is out on business or travelling.
The most important protective measures involve protecting the data.
Tracking software can help to recover laptops, but in many instances, the thieves are just as sophisticated as the measures.
The increase in technology has also brought with it advances in security measures.
Today, it is easier than ever for the business to track its stolen computer equipment.
This acts as a great deterrent to many would-be thieves, but as long as computer equipment remains easy to liquidate, the risk of theft will remain quite high.
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